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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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Before I had a name for it I suffered from depression starting my freshman year at college. I managed to cycle in and out for years but obviously there were times it wasn’t pleasant.
One day I was reading a Time Magazine with Prozac on the cover. The next day I called my primary care physician and said this article was talking about me.
Long story short I started taking Zoloft and after five weeks I started feeling better. My primary care physician referred me to a psychiatrist and we added Wellbutrin and Buspar along with Klonopin.
I still get ups and downs as everyone does but my depression has remained under control. I have even cut my Zoloft dose in half because as you know all SSRI’s cause sexual side effects.
Depression definitely runs in families and both my son and daughter have issues but since I was very open with my depression they both addressed their issues.
I believe once you have depression you have it for life. It is how you deal with it that determines your quality of life.
Good luck to you.
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2 ReactionsIt sounds like you’ve been through quite a challenging journey with Effexor. Tapering off can be tough, but your determination and persistence are truly inspiring. Remember, it’s essential to have open communication with your healthcare provider throughout this process. Finding supportive practices, like meditation, can make a significant difference as you navigate these changes. Wishing you continued strength and success on your path to stability!
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3 ReactionsDeb 103, Hi, I was on Ven 75mg since 2017, side effects got so bad , so began a 3 yr titration in Oct 2018, amongst side effects were Brian Fog & terrible memory as well as physical symptoms that remain. Now, 2 yrs after finishing titration , still getting legacy side effects. Memory has some improvement, but very slow. Short term memory still very bad. Are you in the UK? If so, get in contact with "NELFT" , an NHS North East London Organisation for Anti-Dep, de-prescribing help. You need a GP referral.
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3 ReactionsYou GO! I had a tough time getting off Effexor. I had taken it for years and gained a lot of weight. Every time I tried to get off, I had horrible brain zaps. The medication no longer worked so after years of tapering off then going back on I finally decided to say screw it NO MORE! I have been off Effexor for 4 years, as of this August. At that time, my only child was suffering from leukemia. Everything she endured medically and physically to spend more time with us, I decided brain zaps would not win; they were nothing in comparison to her pain. I have tried to seek therapy when the challenges of the "news" and all the BS that goes on in the world get me down. I have had extreme difficulty finding a therapist. I had a psychologist I loved, but she retired during COVID. Keep up the great progress and don't let that pill win like I did for years!
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2 ReactionsI've been on the same drug, but for much longer--for hot flashes (which should never happen)--and yes, memory issues as a result of . . . who knows.
Look for Mark Horowitz's recent videos online about antidepressant withdrawal. They confirm the guidance in his book, but are available to you now. The book was more helpful than my doctor--in fact, I gave her a copy of the book! Go to YouTube and search for Mark Horowitz. Valuable information. I am at 25mg per day, down from 75mg. It will take time, and that's okay.
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1 ReactionThanks for the recommendation. Glad there are some improvements for you.
Thanks for this. I will check out Mark Horowitz. Have you noticed any changes with your memory on a lower dose of venlafaxine?
Hard to tell. I'm hoping for more noticeable changes once I am off the drug, but I expect that to take another year.
I started decreasing (my third attempt, after two failed attempts) from 50mg in December, with a water-based liquid solution created by my pharmacist from information contained in Mark Horowitz's book. I made it to 25mg rather quickly, with 10% decreases over time, but it could be more difficult to get to zero--because I have been on it for so long AND have quit twice, but not according to the book. I want to be sure I succeed this time, so I plan to switch to 5% decreases, and will see how that goes. Slowly is key.