As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)

Posted by sheffieldsmith @sheffieldsmith, May 31, 2020

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.

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

I had a bad case of Meniere's Disease that was causing bad vertigo which studies have shown, has a migraine component. My neurologist prescribed an off label use of Venlafaxine at 75mg.....worked wonders at immediately stopping the migraine symptoms of extreme vertigo and "drop attacks". The disease did though, take my right side hearing and balance. probably due to cochlear hydrops (a symptom separate from the migraine component).....but the relief from the vertigo was a God-send!
8 years have passed now on the Venlafaxine, I decided to withdraw from it, as my research's indicated that Meniere's 'burns" itself out after 8-10 years
So I did a similar withdrawal plan coming off the Venlafaxine) over 3 months. It has been 2 months off any of the med but still have brain zaps.
Has anyone found anything to mitigate this issue?

REPLY

I've only been taking 37.5 for 2 months. Are the withdrawals less intense? How do I taper on my dose?

REPLY

Having the Capsules with beads actually makes tapering very easy with the assistance of a weigh scale. After a lot of research online I decided to do a slow taper. Keeping my fingers crossed, but so far so good.
The main thing for this to work is to know:
- The weight of the bottom half of the capsule.
- The weight of the beads used in the capsule.
- I make 21 capsules at a time, and it takes about 20 min.
If anyone wishes to use my spreadsheet feel free to send me a message and I can send it to you.
I am not against meds at all, and if they are working for you, it's great. My meds numbed things when I needed them to in order to function. 6 years later I have made changes in my life, and am ready to feel myself again. Honestly I cannot remember what that felt like, it has been a hell of a road.
My taper started 3 months ago, so far I am feeling more energetic, but still not the best, but no side effects.
We will see what happens.

Depression:
- Venalafaxine 150MG now at 63.75mg
- Buproprian 150MG - Planning to stay on now.

Anxiety:
- Clonazapam 2.5mg, now at .25mg 2x daily
- Clonodine .1mg - Discontinued.

ADHD
Vivanze 40mg - Planning to stay on.

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I was on 250mg for at least 14 yrs. One day I was determined I was getting off. I had an old Rx of a lower dose and I took it for 2 weeks and then stopped. It was HARD! I had terrible withdrawal anytime I missed just one dose so that was a difficult time but I did it and I have not taken it again. I refuse to take another drug like it. That is something that no dr should ever put anyone on long term.

REPLY
@reginald56

Having the Capsules with beads actually makes tapering very easy with the assistance of a weigh scale. After a lot of research online I decided to do a slow taper. Keeping my fingers crossed, but so far so good.
The main thing for this to work is to know:
- The weight of the bottom half of the capsule.
- The weight of the beads used in the capsule.
- I make 21 capsules at a time, and it takes about 20 min.
If anyone wishes to use my spreadsheet feel free to send me a message and I can send it to you.
I am not against meds at all, and if they are working for you, it's great. My meds numbed things when I needed them to in order to function. 6 years later I have made changes in my life, and am ready to feel myself again. Honestly I cannot remember what that felt like, it has been a hell of a road.
My taper started 3 months ago, so far I am feeling more energetic, but still not the best, but no side effects.
We will see what happens.

Depression:
- Venalafaxine 150MG now at 63.75mg
- Buproprian 150MG - Planning to stay on now.

Anxiety:
- Clonazapam 2.5mg, now at .25mg 2x daily
- Clonodine .1mg - Discontinued.

ADHD
Vivanze 40mg - Planning to stay on.

Jump to this post

This is an excellent taper schedule for coming off Effexor. Well done for setting this up. I would love a copy of your spreadsheet please.

REPLY
@reginald56

Having the Capsules with beads actually makes tapering very easy with the assistance of a weigh scale. After a lot of research online I decided to do a slow taper. Keeping my fingers crossed, but so far so good.
The main thing for this to work is to know:
- The weight of the bottom half of the capsule.
- The weight of the beads used in the capsule.
- I make 21 capsules at a time, and it takes about 20 min.
If anyone wishes to use my spreadsheet feel free to send me a message and I can send it to you.
I am not against meds at all, and if they are working for you, it's great. My meds numbed things when I needed them to in order to function. 6 years later I have made changes in my life, and am ready to feel myself again. Honestly I cannot remember what that felt like, it has been a hell of a road.
My taper started 3 months ago, so far I am feeling more energetic, but still not the best, but no side effects.
We will see what happens.

Depression:
- Venalafaxine 150MG now at 63.75mg
- Buproprian 150MG - Planning to stay on now.

Anxiety:
- Clonazapam 2.5mg, now at .25mg 2x daily
- Clonodine .1mg - Discontinued.

ADHD
Vivanze 40mg - Planning to stay on.

Jump to this post

Hi again Reginald not sure if you can upload the file or do you need my email address?
Kind regards Anita

REPLY

Hi Anita,
Unfortunately Mayo does not let me attach Excel files. If you send me your email address I can send it to you.

REPLY
@reginald56

Hi Anita,
Unfortunately Mayo does not let me attach Excel files. If you send me your email address I can send it to you.

Jump to this post

Thank you - I am so grateful. If you could send it to anitacm@msn.com please. Kind regards, Anita

REPLY

in reply to @reginald56 Thank you. My doctor suggested Prozac for a replacement while tapering off Effexor. In other words, use the Prozac and taper off of that. I had a horrible reaction after taking the Prozac yesterday. I am going to try skipping today's dose and see how it goes every other day, still measuring out the beads in the capsules. Interestingly enough, last night was the first night in weeks that I actually slept, and I attribute this to not taking the Effexor XR.

REPLY
@reginald56

Having the Capsules with beads actually makes tapering very easy with the assistance of a weigh scale. After a lot of research online I decided to do a slow taper. Keeping my fingers crossed, but so far so good.
The main thing for this to work is to know:
- The weight of the bottom half of the capsule.
- The weight of the beads used in the capsule.
- I make 21 capsules at a time, and it takes about 20 min.
If anyone wishes to use my spreadsheet feel free to send me a message and I can send it to you.
I am not against meds at all, and if they are working for you, it's great. My meds numbed things when I needed them to in order to function. 6 years later I have made changes in my life, and am ready to feel myself again. Honestly I cannot remember what that felt like, it has been a hell of a road.
My taper started 3 months ago, so far I am feeling more energetic, but still not the best, but no side effects.
We will see what happens.

Depression:
- Venalafaxine 150MG now at 63.75mg
- Buproprian 150MG - Planning to stay on now.

Anxiety:
- Clonazapam 2.5mg, now at .25mg 2x daily
- Clonodine .1mg - Discontinued.

ADHD
Vivanze 40mg - Planning to stay on.

Jump to this post

Hi Reginald not sure if you got my email address or maybe it’s not allowed and it was blocked?

REPLY
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