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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Below you will find the tapering plan that I used to successfully wean myself off Effexor (Venlafaxine). Feel free to share this with your doctor If you would like. I researched and came up with this plan, which was approved by my doctor, although she thought I could probably have weaned myself off sooner. But the reality is that we all have differing tolerance levels for tapering and weaning off this powerful drug from our bodies. Some people can taper faster, but usually not those who have been on this drug for years (like myself, since October 2002). I tapered off EffexorXR 150mg capsules about 5 years ago down to 75mg, and was on that maintenance dosage for a couple of years until I started weaning off the 75mg a year ago in April 2019. As of October, 2029, I’ve been withdrawal symptom free, but I still have occasional periods of anxiety when triggered. But I realize these waves of anxiety will soon pass, and I cope by deep breathing, taking a walk, having a cup of chamomile tea, etc. Cutting my exposure to watching upsetting news has really helped a lot as well. These days I seek things that bring joy and peace in such a turbulent world. Wishing you all a successful weaning off this powerful drug.
Weaning off Venlafaxine XR 75mg (Effexor-(extended release)capsules:
Weaning plan off plan that worked for BSS:
1. Inform your doctor you are tapering down from 75 mg Venlafaxine and ask them to prescribe 37.50 tabs to help with tapering doses (1/2 dosage down from 75 mg Venlafaxine capsules). The tabs are easier to cut into halves and quarter dosages than counting out beads from the capsules.
2. Begin your taper only after you are on a non-withdrawal symptomatic dosage level. If you were having w/d symptoms at 75 mg, you’ll need to go back to the level at which you were symptomless and stay there for 2-3 weeks before deceasing to a slow taper. NOTE: after successfully tapering from 150mg Venlafaxine down to 75mg for a month, I was unable to tolerate a drop cold turkey from a daily dosage of 75mg down to 37.50mg (50%) without having bothersome withdrawal symptoms of dizziness, brain fog, brain zaps, and nausea. So after researching various tapering plans, I came up with a slower tapering schedule my body could tolerate to finish the tapering from 75mg to 37.50mg, and then on to complete the tapering. Your body may even need slower tapering, so adjust according.
3. Week 1-2: Take 75mg caps MWFSu; take 37.50mg tab on alternate days Tu,Th, Sa. At the end of week 2, if you only have relatively mild to no withdrawal symptoms, proceed to week 3. IMPORTANT: If you have intolerable symptoms, adjust to a slower tapering schedule by adding an additional 1/2 tab on the alternate days (or take a total of one and a half 37.50 tabs on alternate days). You’ll then have to tweak the rest of your tapering schedule. If all goes well, proceed with week 3.
4. Week 3-4: Cut a few 37.50 tabs in half with a pill cutter or exacto knife blade to create quarter pieces. Take 37.50mg tab on MWFSu and take 3/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa.
5. Week 5-6: Take 3/4 of a tab MWFSu, and take 1/2 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If only mild symptoms, proceed to week 5.
6. Week 7-8: Take 1/2 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If no symptoms, continue to week 7.
7. Week 9-10: Take 1/4 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/8 tab (cut 1/4 tabs in half) on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *Notice the quartering of doses into crumbs now...very important to keep small dosage tapering to remain withdrawal symptom free.
8. Week 11-12: Take 1/8 tab crumb on MWFSu; take none on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *If skipping alternate days produces symptoms, stay on 1/8 tab crumbs for a couple of weeks before alternating skip days for a couple of weeks.
You’ll find that this schedule may have to be tweaked for you by extending the time you stay on a taper...possibly up to 3-4 weeks before beginning a new tapering down. It all depends on how you tolerate the first two weeks.
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Hi Roberteh, I have had many issues with EFFEXOR (aka VENLAFAXINE), on 75mg for 18 months. Took from Oct 18 to Oct 22 to titrate off ! You say you were on it for several years. BUT, as I STILL get legacy side effects 6 did months after stopping, did you experience any such (post stopping pill) effects? & if so, for how long? did they dissipate slowly over time after stopping?
Frances 007, Hi. Yes I also read "the lancet" article. I have had terrible issues with EFFEXOR (aka VENLAFAXINE in UK). I had severe eye issues also. I also got 95% of the side - effects. It transpires I am allergic to ANY Anti - dep. Have you had any lasting adverse effects after stopping (extreme tiredness/ eye issues/ brain fog ? appreciate any info Thanks SIMON
Hi Simon007, I didn’t experience serious side effects of Effexor withdrawal except for the “zaps”. When I had finished tapering I had no more problems although later I was prescribed sertraline which eventually I was also able to taper off without any serious issues. In November 2022 I had an operation for a hiatus hernia and lost a lot of weight while on the six week liquid diet that followed it. I also lost a lot of physical strength and became anxious and depressed. I was on Clobazam ( 15 mg/day) and Mirtazapine (15 mg/day) Tapering off the Clobazam according to the Ashton manual methodology was ok but the Mirtazapine has been a nightmare. I could not endure a higher dose than 15 mg of Mirtazapine due to extreme agitation. I am now back on sertraline (50 mg/day) to help me taper off the Mirtazapine but it has been much harder than the benzodiazepine to taper off. Mirtazapine for me has been mostly side effects with little effect against depression or anxiety. Looking back, it was easier for me to taper off Effexor than Mirtazapine. I hope you find your symptoms reduce over time. I have found frequent prayer and Christian mediation to be the major factors that have helped me through. I highly recommend reading books by Max Lucado such as “Anxious for nothing”.
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1 ReactionI hope you are getting better. I can empathize with you. It's been almost two years since I stopped taking effexor. I tapered off, but in retrospect, I didn't do it slowly enough.
I am about 85 to 90 percent better. I struggled for my life these past two years. Doctor after doctor wanted to put me back on an antidepressant ( even though I didn't start taking them for depression, they were prescribed for pain). There were a few times I wanted to give in. I'm so glad I haven't.
My poor body and mind went through hell. I lost 50 pounds, suffered with anxiety and experienced extreme brain fog.
Hopefully I'm on the over side now. I still have symptoms, but I'm a heck of a lot better.
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3 ReactionsIf only.....I had read this two years ago.🙂 I wonder are there any doctors that specialize in tapering off of drugs.
I'm almost two years out. I'm a lot better now.
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1 ReactionHi, intendtorecover. Thank you for your encouraging experience response. I have , last week, identified 2x independent patient statement sources that state 3 years as their own personal timelines. ( AFTER complete cessation of EFFEXOR / VENLAFAXINE slow titration down). For the drugs side effects to stop. ALSO, as I had earlier picked up from other responses. That the drug , over - time of taking, gets absorbed into your body fats / cells. Therefore, you are still subjected to the Pills effects AFTER stopping physically taking it !. Accordingly, as the body flushes it out, it seems the effects repetitive varying debilitating effects become more sporadic as time goes on (as it levels in your system reduces). However, there appears NO definitive timeline return to homo stasis (pre original EFFEXOR drug taking) as everyone is different.
I had terrible menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, irritability, etc). My gyno prescribed 37.5 mg. I now question that decision. My husband died six years ago and I was really struggling. He increased to 75mg. I have put on over 30 pounds even though I eat healthy and exercise. Has taken me a while to realize it is related to Effexor. I have gone from 75 to 37.5 in a few weeks alternating the two as recommended by my doctor. I do not want to go back to 75 to relieve symptoms but I am having terrible naseau. I can deal with the moods and emotional problems (I have been through much worse), but the naseau is killing me. Any advice?
Hi, intendtoreceover. Questions for you !, you say you still have symptoms & you are 80 / 90 % better. Have some symptoms gone and are some less frequent? Is the brain fog much better? I have the same problem with fog, but it is less extreme since stopping titration in Oct 2022.
were you, pro rata 40% better after a year? I have only clocked 10 months of no pill. Finally, 2x Net reports state 3 yrs of post pill side effects, that became less sporadic over time. Did you get any severe light sensitivity issues? if so, are these better? regards Si
your words are wise. Do we stop diabetics from insulin…no! We are short on seratonin or other neuro transmitters for whatever reason. I know I’ve had serious physical illnesses but the worst was depression tried many but I’m on Venlaflazine 225 mg and I’m normal again and enjoy life.
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1 ReactionI am still at 37.5. Began at 300. I am going very carefully. The best advice from my dr is don’t sweat it. Go down by emptying a capsule. Open it up and let some grains out. That got me from 75 to 37.5. No rush w health. I am now taking a few out of 37.5 but don’t care if it takes 6 months. A bit at a time. Feeling better but I know what it’s like to not have it and I’m not wanting any nightmares. So easy does it. It will happen.