Could that same Mayo Clinic pharmacist you sought advice for share with us at least one legitimate way of tapering off 37.5mg Venlafaxine XR ??
Or at the very least explain why taking those beads (in whole) seperately is not advised? (we do need to understand why)

I can't help myself but feel lost when I'm told what not to do, omitting what can be done instead. (suggesting to ask prescribing doctor and/or pharmacist has been found more than once to be of no help by most participant here).

Thanks in advance for pushing/digging further the question.