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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@beltonite410

Grin and bear it. I would cry over the stupidest things. I had to quit cold Turkey after being on it for 8 years? It didn’t jive with an antibiotic I was on. I had a provider get me on something asap because it was no bueno. Switches to Cymbalta and will never go back to Effexor again. It’s one of the hardest to get off of. Have your dr taper you down. Never do it cold Turkey

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I am tapering on my own by counting beads which my doctor doesn't like but he's going along with it. He wanted me to cut my dose in half for 2 weeks then stop. I knew from reading that I would have withdrawal symptoms if I went that fast. I found the site Surviving Antidepressants and I am following their taper guidance that has worked for many people.

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@beltonite410

Grin and bear it. I would cry over the stupidest things. I had to quit cold Turkey after being on it for 8 years? It didn’t jive with an antibiotic I was on. I had a provider get me on something asap because it was no bueno. Switches to Cymbalta and will never go back to Effexor again. It’s one of the hardest to get off of. Have your dr taper you down. Never do it cold Turkey

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@beltonite410
A lady on this forum had a stroke quitting cold turkey.
How much were you tapering?
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@beltonite410
A lady on this forum had a stroke quitting cold turkey.
How much were you tapering?
Jake

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I quit cold Turkey. I had to due to a staph infection and the antibiotics I had to take.

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Hi. I’m on 150 per day and my doctor suggested tapering with 1 dose of 75mg plus a 37.5 that would be from 150 to 115mg. I thought I would taper it down more so I’m cutting the 37.5 in 2. So 75 plus 37. 5 plus 18. What do you guys think? Thanks

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@pitilina
Of course how medication affects everyone is different. I think your wise by reducing more slowly although your doctors suggestion may work since it’s a first cut but as your dose gets smaller make sure your cuts are about 10%, give or take. I’d stay on the 130.5 and all subsequent dosage cuts for 2-6 weeks. I’d wait 4 weeks. Although you might want to experiment with different time periods & percentages between cuts. Preferably I’d use a compounding pharmacy and taper by 10% every 4 weeks. One member waited 6 months between cuts.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@pitilina
Of course how medication affects everyone is different. I think your wise by reducing more slowly although your doctors suggestion may work since it’s a first cut but as your dose gets smaller make sure your cuts are about 10%, give or take. I’d stay on the 130.5 and all subsequent dosage cuts for 2-6 weeks. I’d wait 4 weeks. Although you might want to experiment with different time periods & percentages between cuts. Preferably I’d use a compounding pharmacy and taper by 10% every 4 weeks. One member waited 6 months between cuts.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

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Thank you so much

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Hi. You have to taper it very slowly, very.

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In addition to very gradual tapering, I found that taking dramatize helps with the dizziness/vertigo.

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@irishlady1974

In addition to very gradual tapering, I found that taking dramatize helps with the dizziness/vertigo.

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Sorry for the typo - I meant to say Dramamine

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