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I seem to have tried every way to taper off venlafaxine / efexor UK version. When I did that ten years ago with Effexor it took many months but was smooth. I was prescribed 225mg two years ago bec I was not sleeping or eating (marital breakup) but I can't get off it.
I have awful dizziness. weakness etc
I have tried efexor and venlablue minitablets of 12.5 mg) and liquid venlafaxine. However tiny the reduction, I get terrible reactions. Two pharmacists have said I is not possible to taper with efexor bec he spheroids vary so much.
I have realised that I can't take instant release forms of venlafaxine. I have tried everything and I don't want to lose hope.
HELP!
XX
Replies to "I seem to have tried every way to taper off venlafaxine / efexor UK version. When..."
No need to lose hope; you just haven't found what works for you yet.
How "tiny" are your reductions?
Are you still taking 225mg, or a lesser amount at this point?
I'm in the midst of my third attempt to end Effexor, and I know I will succeed this time because I am decreasing the dosage extra slowly. The maximum dosage I was taking was 75mg extended release (ER) capsules. I am now down to 25mg immediate release tablets. I guess I was lucky; I noticed no difference in switching from extended release to immediate release--of course, the ER is taken once a day, and the immediate release tablets twice a day 12 hours apart. I was counting the tiny dots inside the capsule in order to decrease by 10 percent over time (weeks or months)--tedious but possible. Then my pharmacist, following the information provided in the Horowitz book, created a water-based liquid solution for me and provided an equivalent schedule of milliliters measured through a syringe to accomplish a ten percent reduction. When I am ready for the next reduction, however, I am going to go back to the pharmacist's refrigerated liquid solution and reduce by FIVE PERCENT, because the effects of smaller reductions at lower doses is greater. That might be difficult to understand if you aren't familiar with the explanation given by Mark Horowitz for hyperbolic tapering. You don't have to buy the book; you can find the explanation online if needed.
My pharmacist was very encouraging; I'm sorry yours are not. You can do this!
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I am so sorry. One possible remedy is to replace with some other antidepressant and then slowly reduce that one. I replaced Effexor numerous times with little side-effects. You will always get some brain zaps for a few days but that goes away eventually. Right now I am on 150 mg Effexor and recently discovered CBD/CBG oil from hemp that works so well for my anxiety that I may wean myself off the Effexor to 75 mg, which I have done before. Please don't give up. Maybe switch psychiatrists. There are always some that will nurse you along with the help of low doses of Valium or Xanax while lowering your dose...Stay in touch and keep exercising.