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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor schedule
Below you will find the tapering plan that I used to successfully wean myself off Effexor (Venlafaxine). Feel free to share this with your doctor If you would like. I researched and came up with this plan, which was approved by my doctor, although she thought I could probably have weaned myself off sooner. But the reality is that we all have differing tolerance levels for tapering and weaning off this powerful drug from our bodies. Some people can taper faster, but usually not those who have been on this drug for years (like myself, since October 2002). I tapered off EffexorXR 150mg capsules about 5 years ago down to 75mg, and was on that maintenance dosage for a couple of years until I started weaning off the 75mg a year ago in April 2019. As of October, 2029, I’ve been withdrawal symptom free, but I still have occasional periods of anxiety when triggered. But I realize these waves of anxiety will soon pass, and I cope by deep breathing, taking a walk, having a cup of chamomile tea, etc. Cutting my exposure to watching upsetting news has really helped a lot as well. These days I seek things that bring joy and peace in such a turbulent world. Wishing you all a successful weaning off this powerful drug.
Weaning off Venlafaxine XR 75mg (Effexor-(extended release)capsules:
Weaning plan off plan that worked for BSS:
1. Inform your doctor you are tapering down from 75 mg Venlafaxine and ask them to prescribe 37.50 tabs to help with tapering doses (1/2 dosage down from 75 mg Venlafaxine capsules). The tabs are easier to cut into halves and quarter dosages than counting out beads from the capsules.
2. Begin your taper only after you are on a non-withdrawal symptomatic dosage level. If you were having w/d symptoms at 75 mg, you’ll need to go back to the level at which you were symptomless and stay there for 2-3 weeks before deceasing to a slow taper. NOTE: after successfully tapering from 150mg Venlafaxine down to 75mg for a month, I was unable to tolerate a drop cold turkey from a daily dosage of 75mg down to 37.50mg (50%) without having bothersome withdrawal symptoms of dizziness, brain fog, brain zaps, and nausea. So after researching various tapering plans, I came up with a slower tapering schedule my body could tolerate to finish the tapering from 75mg to 37.50mg, and then on to complete the tapering. Your body may even need slower tapering, so adjust according.
3. Week 1-2: Take 75mg caps MWFSu; take 37.50mg tab on alternate days Tu,Th, Sa. At the end of week 2, if you only have relatively mild to no withdrawal symptoms, proceed to week 3. IMPORTANT: If you have intolerable symptoms, adjust to a slower tapering schedule by adding an additional 1/2 tab on the alternate days (or take a total of one and a half 37.50 tabs on alternate days). You’ll then have to tweak the rest of your tapering schedule. If all goes well, proceed with week 3.
4. Week 3-4: Cut a few 37.50 tabs in half with a pill cutter or exacto knife blade to create quarter pieces. Take 37.50mg tab on MWFSu and take 3/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa.
5. Week 5-6: Take 3/4 of a tab MWFSu, and take 1/2 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If only mild symptoms, proceed to week 5.
6. Week 7-8: Take 1/2 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If no symptoms, continue to week 7.
7. Week 9-10: Take 1/4 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/8 tab (cut 1/4 tabs in half) on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *Notice the quartering of doses into crumbs now...very important to keep small dosage tapering to remain withdrawal symptom free.
8. Week 11-12: Take 1/8 tab crumb on MWFSu; take none on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *If skipping alternate days produces symptoms, stay on 1/8 tab crumbs for a couple of weeks before alternating skip days for a couple of weeks.
You’ll find that this schedule may have to be tweaked for you by extending the time you stay on a taper...possibly up to 3-4 weeks before beginning a new tapering down. It all depends on how you tolerate the first two weeks.
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You sound like strong person. You have a great attitude and are handling life in a positive way. I’m glad you had good friends along the way, like your pharmacist. God provides. Adversity can make us stronger, and it sounds like it has for you.
My pharmacist has created an equivalent dosage of Effexor in liquid form, which is easier to decrease over time than the capsules or tablets, though I can count the beads in a capsule if I have to. Please note, however, that those who are most knowledgeable on tapering do not recommend skipping or alternating doses/days. See The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines published last year; also https://www.outro.com.
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1 ReactionThank you! The liquid would be helpful.
Thank you. Liquid form seems like it would work well. I wonder if I could find a pharmacist who would do that.
You can find a compounding pharmacist by looking on internet
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1 ReactionThank you. I’ll check that out.
I am hoping to get off Effexor for good this year. I originally went on it for hot flashes, but I liked how I was not so scattered. The one side effect that I can't stand is the weight gain.
I applaud you successfully tapering off Effexor but I also wonder if you truly suffered from depression.
Depression is genetic and if you truly suffered from it you will always suffer from it.
Exercise is a great way to help deal with depression but that alone will not make it go away.
For anyone reading this post who truly suffers from depression you know what I am talking about. Find a drug or drugs that work and keep taking them.
Much like there is no cure for alcoholism there is no cure from depression. Rather it is how you choose to deal with it.
This person who posted how she weaned off Effexor didn’t really suffer from depression. Those that do suffer from depression know that and know what happens when you stop taking your antidepressants.
This comes from someone who does suffer from depression and successfully treats it.
Good luck to all of you who truly suffer from depression.
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1 ReactionHi All !
I tapered from 225mg of effexor over 2 week spans at each dose, i did exactly what i was instructed to do after being on the med for over 5 years at a high dose.
when i tapered down to 37.5 i started having diareha and now I am completely off of it and Wednesday will be 3 weeks since i have stopped it completely, I have been having diareha , wondering when it will stop and if anyone else had a similar situation
I think I just went through this. The half-life I think is over. Then starting zl and waiting for things to start evening out. But it takes time.