Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

There is a 25 mg tablet of Venlafaxine. So I went from the 37.5 mg to the 25 mg. I had no ill effects from that. I stayed on 25 mg for a month. Then I split that 25 mg and stayed on half (12.5 mg) for another month. Then I went to 1/4 of the 25 mg that and stayed on that for a month. At that point, I just stopped and didn't have any bad effects. The only thing I've been struggling with is fatigue, but I can't say if it's related to getting off Venlafaxine. However, cutting the dosage down this way helped me not get any weird body feelings or brain zaps or nausea. I'm anxious again, but I'm going to learn to deal with it without getting on a new pill. I'm determined to control my anxiety through things other than medication.

@jacqueline
CONGRATULATIONS

Tapering off Effexor slowly may be time consuming but well worth it to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Always good to read about a successful taper.
Take care,
Jake

I know you posted this a long time ago, but perhaps this information can help someone going through this now. I have had a miserable time tapering off Venlafaxine for the past two years. I thought I was going slowly, but I was going too fast. I did just find a support group in Facebook called "EFFEXOR (Venlafaxine) Tapering, Discontinuation Syndrome and Protracted W/D" that is really, really helping with how to taper off slowly and successfully. How I wish I'd found this group two years ago. It's a private group, so you'll have to ask to join. I can't recommend it enough. Sadly, neither my GP, cardiologist, or pulmonologist had a clue about tapering off this medicine slowly and successfully.

Hi .... I am on Venlafexine, a relatively small amount, and I'm wondering what kinds of problems you had when you tapered off of it. Also, did it not work for you any longer? So far, it's been helpful for me, but you just got me thinking about it, and wondering why it is so difficult, and what kinds of things were happening when you did taper off of it.
Barb/abby

Update 10 days later and I tapered off too quickly. I "thought" it was slow, but it's turned out to be a big mistake. I have massive anxiety and bouts with crying and a hard time breathing. No medical problems (had those checked right away). I needed to taper off much, much, much slower than I did. I am now back on the 1/4 of a 25 mg and hoping the withdrawals subside so I can taper off much much slower. I cannot stress enough how hard it is to finally get off Venlafaxine, but if you do, go extremely slowly. Will update this in the coming weeks in hopes of helping others. Be well, everyone.

Hi, if you are still having trouble please ask your doctor for two single pills of Prozac. Due to its long half life it can assist in weaning off a drug (Effexor) with a very short half life.

Thank you for this update. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to taper off Effexor twice in the past 10 years. First time I experienced a bout of panic attacks for first time in my life that didn’t go away and I ended up back on it. Second time I didn’t get very far down the tapering schedule before the anxiety and overwhelm started coming on too much.

NOBODY understands how difficult it is to get off of this drug unless they’ve tried it themselves. Good luck and it’s so helpful to hear everyone’s stories on here 🙏

It's been absolutely miserable. This is such a horrible drug and only those of us who have tried to get off it understand that. My last dose was three weeks ago and I'm still going through nausea, breathlessness, massive anxiety. It's made me wonder if I should just give up and get back on the smallest dose. I did find a Facebook group several days ago and they're very helpful. At least I know I'm not alone and so many others have gone through the same thing. And doctors are useless helping taper off.

I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through - I remember the intensity of the anxiety I went through the first time around. I hope you have some good support with you.

That’s awesome you found a FB group. I’m not on it anymore, but I’m tempting to join given it sounds like this group has been helpful to you. I was hoping the these message boards would have more insight into how to taper effectively, or else examples of people who successfully got off Effexor for more than 6 months. Maybe I just haven’t found the right posts yet…

Thinking of you and sending you hope and ease. I think all of us on this thread have some idea of what you’re going through. You’re definitely not alone 🤗

You may want to speak to your doctor about low dose Prozac. It may or may not work out. Hopefully it would take the edge off so you don’t have to go back on the Effexor. Also, Prozac is a whole lot easier to taper due to its long half life.