Anyone tapered off Effexor and used Prozac as a bridge?

Posted by michellez @michellez, Apr 24, 2021

Hi I Was wondering if anyone has stopped taking 75 mg of Effexor and went right on Prozac 20 mg I thought I heard that that would help the withdrawal?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

@rmce72a

Trying to wean from 75 mg Effexor XR. Doc says to drop from 75 to 37.5 XR tomorrow with 10 mg Prozac. No weaning. Since slow weaning is so important, will I have terrible side effects?

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I know there are several of you who have used Prozac as a bridge when tapering off Effexor, but I would appreciate reading more input/advice. I am starting my taper off Effexor XR 75, and doc want to add 10 mg Prozac. Would you please share your experiences?

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@rmce72a

I know there are several of you who have used Prozac as a bridge when tapering off Effexor, but I would appreciate reading more input/advice. I am starting my taper off Effexor XR 75, and doc want to add 10 mg Prozac. Would you please share your experiences?

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I wish there was a way to consolidate all these different threads on this topic so it’s easier to search through peoples experiences. If someone from Mayo wants to hire me to do this get in touch

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@rmce72a

Doctor wants me to drop from Effexor XR 75 to Effexor 37.5 XR adding Prozac 10mg. I don't want Prozac because I have heart rhythm issue. I will ask about Zoloft instead because it gets positive reviews (mostly.) What has been your experience doing this?

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I have gone Effexor, I did not go to another anti-depressant. I did want to respond to this to make sure you have been told that Effexor can be a difficult medication to get off. I don't know if this changes because you plan to go to another. But there is a lot of information out there about Effexor withdrawal and how to avoid it. The below link is an example of a medical proved site that goes over this information. Patients aren't always given this information and if I'm doing this is unneeded on part, forgive me

https://khealth.com/learn/antidepressants/effexor-withdrawal/
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@rmce72a

I know there are several of you who have used Prozac as a bridge when tapering off Effexor, but I would appreciate reading more input/advice. I am starting my taper off Effexor XR 75, and doc want to add 10 mg Prozac. Would you please share your experiences?

Jump to this post

I did this last week. I was on 112 Effexor, once I got down to the lowest of 37 my dr put me on 10 mg of prozac. I had already started feeling depressed and not in a good place on such low dose of Effexor, the 4 days I was on Prozac I couldn’t deal and asked to be put back on Effexor

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@shack76

I have gone Effexor, I did not go to another anti-depressant. I did want to respond to this to make sure you have been told that Effexor can be a difficult medication to get off. I don't know if this changes because you plan to go to another. But there is a lot of information out there about Effexor withdrawal and how to avoid it. The below link is an example of a medical proved site that goes over this information. Patients aren't always given this information and if I'm doing this is unneeded on part, forgive me

https://khealth.com/learn/antidepressants/effexor-withdrawal/

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Thank you for your input. I am currently in the sloooow withdrawal process from Effexor XR 75. After 3 weeks, I am taking about 72.5 mg by counting beads. I don't know what will happen and my dose gets lower and lower, but I do know that I must get off this drug because of the horrible withdrawal I know I will face at some point. Better now than later. I am trying to control anxiety with therapy, breathing techniques, mindfulness, etc. I do not want to take antidepressants anymore. I've been on them nearly 30 years, with 22 of them on Effexor. Are you doing of without anti ds?

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@rmce72a, I have merged the multiple discussions you started into one discussion thread. Thanks for the tip @kermit2021. This will make it easier to bring all members interested in the topic and with experiences to share into the same virtual "room" so to speak.

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this is my third day without Effexor. Will not be able to get until tomorrow morning. My friend gave me Prozac to help with withdrawal symptoms. Is it ok to take just today? I take 150 mg. Effexor. I have six 10 mg. Prozac pills available.

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@beachlion12

this is my third day without Effexor. Will not be able to get until tomorrow morning. My friend gave me Prozac to help with withdrawal symptoms. Is it ok to take just today? I take 150 mg. Effexor. I have six 10 mg. Prozac pills available.

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I am certainly no medical professional. but I do know that some doctors prescribe a "Prozac bridge" to help with withdrawal. Why don't you call the pharmacist.

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@beachlion12

this is my third day without Effexor. Will not be able to get until tomorrow morning. My friend gave me Prozac to help with withdrawal symptoms. Is it ok to take just today? I take 150 mg. Effexor. I have six 10 mg. Prozac pills available.

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I ndon't know but I stopped Prozac after a few years and it was horrible, so don't get on that.

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@rmce72a

Trying to wean from 75 mg Effexor XR. Doc says to drop from 75 to 37.5 XR tomorrow with 10 mg Prozac. No weaning. Since slow weaning is so important, will I have terrible side effects?

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I did a 60 day wean from 75 mg Effexor XR without a bridge and still had serious side effects. I will attempt to wean with a Prozac bridge this time. Venlafaxine is the most difficult anti-depressant to wean. Doctors that advise to drop from 75 mg to 37.5 mg in a week for long time users are inexperienced in this field.

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