Effexor Tapering Off and Side Effects

Posted by gaile12 @gaile12, Aug 22, 2022

I am tapering off Effexor after being on it for over a decade. I've noticed my stomach gets queasy & I have digestion issues. Has anybody else had this problem?

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cmagarvey | @cmagarvey | Apr 5, 2023

In reply to @rmce72a "A Website called Surviving Antidepressants has valuable info about tapering." + (show)

Thank you. I ended up very sick…I could barely move, diarrhea but constipated, and dry heaves. I am back on 150 but may have to increase that. Still home in bed.

cmagarvey | @cmagarvey | Apr 5, 2023

In reply to @mayome99 "Ok question. Who are you seeing to withdrawal from Effexor? Ur normal pcp doctor? Which I..." + (show)

My GP. But I ended up becoming very sick. I am on 150 mg again may have to up that I am still home in bed though. He still wants me to take that 20 of the celesta. I just want to feel well again I’m beginning to wonder if that will ever happen

imataurus | @imataurus | May 15, 2023

My doctor recommends me to alternate Effexor 75mg every other day with 37.5. Because of the short half life, won’t that confuse my brain even more by getting off Effexor eventually?

scolio | @scolio | May 16, 2023

In reply to @imataurus "My doctor recommends me to alternate Effexor 75mg every other day with 37.5. Because of the..." + (show)

I'm sorry that I really don't have an answer for you, @imataurus. I have heard of this sort of every-other-day method for stepping down off of antidepressants generally. Whatever you choose, it may be helpful to keep a diary to keep track of how you feel each day, and maybe ask someone close to you to take some notes also, just to get that extra bit of perspective. A year from now it may be interesting to look back on. By then you'll have insight to share with someone else going through the same!
Like this member:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/as-promised-my-successful-tapering-off-effexor-venlafaxine/

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 16, 2023

In reply to @imataurus "My doctor recommends me to alternate Effexor 75mg every other day with 37.5. Because of the..." + (show)

@imataurus, I'm tagging fellow members like @sheffieldsmith @aemarie @tfought1 @nanasusan @lorie1207 @deeschmee @texasduchess @sears @jakedduck1 and others who can share their experiences.

You can also read more in these helpful related discussions:
– My successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/as-promised-my-successful-tapering-off-effexor-venlafaxine/
– Long term effects AFTER withdrawing from Effexor: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-term-effects-after-withdrawing-from-effexor/
– Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine/

An Effexor taper schedule may vary from person to person. Your question is a good one that I would ask your prescribing doctor to explain why this approach is advised for you and how the mechanisms of the drug's half like work.

sears | @sears | May 16, 2023

In reply to @imataurus "My doctor recommends me to alternate Effexor 75mg every other day with 37.5. Because of the..." + (show)

I believe Texas Duchess successfully tapered Effexor by methodically removing beads in the capsules. She’s the go to on this forum.

texasduchess | @texasduchess | May 17, 2023

In reply to @sears "I believe Texas Duchess successfully tapered Effexor by methodically removing beads in the capsules. She’s the..." + (show)

No, that wasn't me. I tapered from a tiny 25 mg tablet that could be cut.

Opening the capsules and counting/removing beads is tedious and somewhat hit-and-miss as the number/sizes of beads within a capsule varies from capsule to capsule within a bottle of pills. On the "Tips on minimising withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)" discussion in the Depression & Anxiety forum, @farm_mom found Teva had the most consistent size and number of beads within a capsule. Also on that thread, see @sandij, or @doorman on how to count/throw out beads to taper.

effexorhead | @effexorhead | May 20, 2023

In reply to @joeh23 "I have been on Effexor for almost a year now, I decided to go off, I..." + (show)

Ive been under dr’s care taking Effexor 150mg 2x daily as per scribed. Its been 4 weeks now, i still have headaches, nausea. I was taken completely off in 6 days - almost 9 years of it. HELP HEADACHES AND NAUCEA PLEASE

scolio | @scolio | May 21, 2023

In reply to @effexorhead "Ive been under dr’s care taking Effexor 150mg 2x daily as per scribed. Its been 4..." + (show)

I'm really surprised that anyone would recommend your going off this medication in just 6 days. Was there an urgent reason you needed to stop taking it?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 22, 2023

In reply to @effexorhead "Ive been under dr’s care taking Effexor 150mg 2x daily as per scribed. Its been 4..." + (show)

@effexorhead, I add my welcome to @scolio's. I moved your post to this existing discussion:

- Coming Off Effexor: How long can I expect symptoms to last? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/coming-of-effexor/

I did this so you can connect with others. You may also be interested in this discussion:
As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/as-promised-my-successful-tapering-off-effexor-venlafaxine/

I'm trying to understand your timeline. Are you saying that you took Effexor 150mg 2x daily for 9 years and 4 weeks ago you stopped completely and your taper was only 6 days long? Is that correct?