Avoiding discontinuation syndrome during removal of Venlafaxine XR

Posted by h8fxr @h8fxr, Oct 14, 2018

Hi Everyone,

AFAIS, Venflafaxine immediate-release tablets are not available in Canada. That would have been my plan A to use to taper off slowly Plan B was to open the generic Sandoz Venlafaxine capsules; they don't advise: but I did.

There are no beads! Shocker. There are mini-tablets packed in the gelatin capsule. The 150mg capsule contains 3 three 50mg tablets. The 75mg capsule cobtains two smaller 37.5mg tablets and the 37.5mg capsule contains just one of these.

My Question is this: DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE MINITABS? It stands to reason that in between the doctor's suggested drop from 112mg to 75mg you could plunk a 100mg in by taking 1 50mg minitab out of the 150mg capsule. It doesnt seem like a big deal

But WHAT ABOUT CUTTING THE MINITABLETS IN HALF OR QAURTERS, OR MIXING A 50MG MINITAB WITH A 37.5MG MINITAB IN THE SAME CAPSULE? Safe? Does the extended release still work? I think the sustained release works because the venlafaxine is embedded in a non-soluble matrix and its not due to some coating. Please share you ideas, opinions or experience on tapering with mini-tablets from generic venlafaxine XR

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

Jake | @jakedduck1 | Jan 19, 2024

In reply to @sandralane "Can I taper off by tacking one tablet out of capsules for 2weeks at a time" + (show)

@ sears
Tired of being sick. My friend and I celebrated Christmas a couple days ago. It's not that I mind being sick but I wish I wouldn't get sick on the various holidays. I miss the holiday meals, but especially miss all the desserts.
Take care of yourself. Hope you haven't haven't beeen sick.
Jake

kratz5 | @kratz5 | Jan 20, 2024

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@ sears Tired of being sick. My friend and I celebrated Christmas a couple days ago...." + (show)

Jake, are you sick because you quit taking the Effexor ?

Jake | @jakedduck1 | Jan 20, 2024

In reply to @sandralane "Can I taper off by tacking one tablet out of capsules for 2weeks at a time" + (show)

@sears
No, that was a long time ago. I only took it to shut my doctor up and didn't take it long. I don't remember taking it for depression, maybe for my pain because doctors were saying maybe the pain was causing seizures. I didn't buy that argument then and don't buy it now. At least not my type of seizures.
Jake