Venlafaxine tapering and minimizing side effects

Posted by fleetwood @fleetwood, Mar 18 5:05pm

Tapering off venlafaxine over the last year. I’ve reached 50 mg/day. Two options for this dose:

Option 1: 25 mg IR tablet twice per day = 50 mg

Option 2: 37.5 mg XR capsule + 12.5 mg (1/2 of a 25 mg), 12 hours later = 50mg

Which option is less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms?

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fleetwood | @fleetwood | May 30 1:01pm

I’m tapering off venlafaxine after 14 years. No problems tapering down from 150 mg to 75 mg over one year. Withdrawal (flu-like feeling, drowsiness, anxiety, etc.) began when I went down to 62.5, then 50 mg, then back to 62.5 mg. No brain zaps. About a week ago, I began having itchy skin, that comes and goes. I have never had any allergies or skin problems. Has anyone had this withdrawal symptom? Do antihistamines help?

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 1 8:18am

In reply to @fleetwood "I’m tapering off venlafaxine after 14 years. No problems tapering down from 150 mg to 75..." + (show)

@fleetwood - I moved your post about tapering off venlafaxine here to an existing discussion you previously started on the same subject so you could continue to connect with the same members you were chatting with previously:

- Venlafaxine tapering and minimizing side effects https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/venlafaxine-tapering/

How is your skin doing today?

njoys | @njoys | 2 days ago

In reply to @fleetwood "I’m tapering off venlafaxine after 14 years. No problems tapering down from 150 mg to 75..." + (show)

@fleetwood I have had itching arms, but did not relate it to my withdrawal process from venlafaxine. I did start applying Aveeno moisturizer after my shower, however, and the itching has stopped, so I would recommend trying a moisturizer first.