Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you

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spreels2 | @spreels2 | Sep 22 9:13am

Have you tried Gabapentin to help withdrawal symptoms?

maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Sep 22 9:24am

In reply to @truly520 "What dose? I didn’t have any side effects but was on a low dose." + (show)

I am on 25 mg Paxil and 5 mg Lexapro. I feel great. I have been on Clonazapam for many years 1 mg at night .75 mg morning and an additional.25 mg if needed. A former psychiatrist had me in 4 mg. I weaned myself down to the above. At 78 I am happy where I am and Lexapro is really making me feel like it’s workin on my anxiety and depression. My tapering is slow but working . I have an excellent psychiatrist. Hope this helps.
Mjdennis

david707 | @david707 | Sep 22 2:24pm

I have successfully weaned of Effexor many times, I was always replacing it with another SSRI or SSNI, so I did not experience side effects except the usual brain zaps for a short time. I did cut my dosage in 1/2 once, but I went down very slowly over several months. It was manageable.

tisme | @tisme | Sep 23 3:44am

In reply to @david707 "I have successfully weaned of Effexor many times, I was always replacing it with another SSRI..." + (show)

how did u go down slowly?? the effexor you mean ?? they are capsules I am on it cos I cant get off it ( I have tried )

mmsm | @mmsm | Sep 23 8:12am

In reply to @spreels2 "Have you tried Gabapentin to help withdrawal symptoms?" + (show)

I am using gabapentin to help with effexor withdrawal. It helps take the edge off of my anxiety and helps with sleep.
Of course, then I will need to get off the gabapentin!

mialucy123 | @mialucy123 | Sep 23 11:38am

Has anyone used cannabis gummies to help with withdrawal symptoms like nausea and sleep? If so, was it helpful?

cistus | @cistus | Sep 24 2:21pm

In reply to @tisme "how did u go down slowly?? the effexor you mean ?? they are capsules I am..." + (show)

Me too.
On uk we no longer have Effexor made by Pfizer. We have Efexor, one f, by Viatris.
Pharmacists are saying it is not suitable for tapering because the spheroids in the capsules vary so much. It has been impossible for me to taper with it.

Please, has anyone else found this?

david707 | @david707 | Sep 24 2:53pm

In reply to @tisme "how did u go down slowly?? the effexor you mean ?? they are capsules I am..." + (show)

@tisme Venlafaxine comes in 75 and 35 1/2 mg capsules. So my insurance allowed my psychiatric nurse to order these lower doses so I went down over time. I am about to do so again.....150 to 75mg. Actually you can open the 150mg capsule and pour out some of the beads in a cup approximating how much you want to lower the dose which I am about to do.

tisme | @tisme | Sep 24 3:37pm

In reply to @david707 "@tisme Venlafaxine comes in 75 and 35 1/2 mg capsules. So my insurance allowed my psychiatric..." + (show)

getting down to 37 was easy last time but to get of that WOW so I stayed on it I found a group on the internet who are all about effexor , they suggest going down over a period of time by opening the capsule and counting the beads on a black surface ( easier to see the beads) and going down by 10% havent tried it yet , worried counting the beads with arthritic fingers. might try it though they suggested putting the beads not used into a gelatine capsule

david707 | @david707 | Sep 24 4:12pm

In reply to @mialucy123 "Has anyone used cannabis gummies to help with withdrawal symptoms like nausea and sleep? If so,..." + (show)

@mialucy123 I have and use cannabis gummies or drops nightly to help with sleep and anxiety. But I take it as CBD & CBN. After a few nights I realized it effects my nervous system 24 hrs, but of course it depends on how much is taken. I noticed that, just like regular weed with THC, the drops/gummies have a side effect of producing a "Don't give a shit" attitude and I am not getting things done, like I used to. So I am relaxed all day but I have to push myself to be more responsible.