1. < Depression & Anxiety
Profile picture for michellez

Anyone tapered off Effexor and used Prozac as a bridge?

Posted by michellez @michellez, Apr 24, 2021

Hi I Was wondering if anyone has stopped taking 75 mg of Effexor and went right on Prozac 20 mg I thought I heard that that would help the withdrawal?

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

Profile picture for maryjjeandennis
maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Jul 30, 2025

I’m tapering off of Paxil and adding a small amount of Prozac
And being follower closely by my psychiatrist. I think it may be working. The slow taper is helping the withdrawal symptoms from Paxil. I am also on a small amount of Clonazapam which has been very helpful in keeping my life manageable! Good luck.
Mjd

REPLY
Profile picture for sallyo420
sallyo420 | @sallyo420 | Jan 14 10:22pm

Yes and the Prozac bridge worked beautifully. I was on 250mg Effexor. I am elderly so started getting diarrhea from the Effexor so decided to go off. I think going off Effexor must be as bad as heroin. No way in hell was I doing that without help. My doctor gave me 37.5 mg and I started that and 40mg Prozac. The withdrawal symptoms initially broke through on 20mg. After a few days I went off the first 75mg and then started with the 2nd 75mg and did the same thing. The diarrhea immediately stopped. After tapering off that I went to the final 75mg. This was a little tricker since you can't use more than 80mg Prozac. I was now on 20mg Prozac in the morning and 30mg in afternoon to avoid withdrawal symptoms or Serotonin Syndrome. Then did the same thing with the final 75mg. There is no need to suffer going off Effexor.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Randy Shields
Randy Shields | @randallshields56 | Jan 15 6:46pm
In reply to @sallyo420 "Yes and the Prozac bridge worked beautifully. I was on 250mg Effexor. I am elderly so..." + (show)
Profile picture for sallyo420 @sallyo420

Yes and the Prozac bridge worked beautifully. I was on 250mg Effexor. I am elderly so started getting diarrhea from the Effexor so decided to go off. I think going off Effexor must be as bad as heroin. No way in hell was I doing that without help. My doctor gave me 37.5 mg and I started that and 40mg Prozac. The withdrawal symptoms initially broke through on 20mg. After a few days I went off the first 75mg and then started with the 2nd 75mg and did the same thing. The diarrhea immediately stopped. After tapering off that I went to the final 75mg. This was a little tricker since you can't use more than 80mg Prozac. I was now on 20mg Prozac in the morning and 30mg in afternoon to avoid withdrawal symptoms or Serotonin Syndrome. Then did the same thing with the final 75mg. There is no need to suffer going off Effexor.

Jump to this post

can't really because I'm currently on too many meds

REPLY
Profile picture for maryjjeandennis
maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Jan 16 9:18am

I slowly tapered off Paxil and used Prozac as a bridge carefully monitored by my psychiatrist. I then cross tapered to Lexapro. It’s been 7 months but it requires patience and a good Psychiatrist. It’s not a smooth ride but better than going cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms were not eliminated but tolerated.
I’m now on 17 days off Paxil. I’m still having adjustments but they are tolerated. I also use Clonazepam as a bridge. I’m glad I made it this far and better days ahead. It was worth it.
Mjdennis

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for magskay
magskay | @magskay | Jan 17 12:00pm
In reply to @maryjjeandennis "I slowly tapered off Paxil and used Prozac as a bridge carefully monitored by my psychiatrist...." + (show)
Profile picture for maryjjeandennis @maryjjeandennis

I slowly tapered off Paxil and used Prozac as a bridge carefully monitored by my psychiatrist. I then cross tapered to Lexapro. It’s been 7 months but it requires patience and a good Psychiatrist. It’s not a smooth ride but better than going cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms were not eliminated but tolerated.
I’m now on 17 days off Paxil. I’m still having adjustments but they are tolerated. I also use Clonazepam as a bridge. I’m glad I made it this far and better days ahead. It was worth it.
Mjdennis

Jump to this post

@maryjjeandennis I’m happy for you. Always glad to hear positive results in these difficult situations.

REPLY
Profile picture for maryjjeandennis
maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Jan 17 5:33pm

Thankyou fir your response

REPLY
Profile picture for sheffieldsmith
sheffieldsmith | @sheffieldsmith | Jan 18 10:54pm
In reply to @maryjjeandennis "I slowly tapered off Paxil and used Prozac as a bridge carefully monitored by my psychiatrist...." + (show)
Profile picture for maryjjeandennis @maryjjeandennis

I slowly tapered off Paxil and used Prozac as a bridge carefully monitored by my psychiatrist. I then cross tapered to Lexapro. It’s been 7 months but it requires patience and a good Psychiatrist. It’s not a smooth ride but better than going cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms were not eliminated but tolerated.
I’m now on 17 days off Paxil. I’m still having adjustments but they are tolerated. I also use Clonazepam as a bridge. I’m glad I made it this far and better days ahead. It was worth it.
Mjdennis

Jump to this post

@maryjjeandennis I did a slow dose tapering off and used Buspirone 10 mg as a bridge med to help me with the anxiety.

REPLY
Profile picture for maryjjeandennis
maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Jan 19 8:24am

I am so glad to hear that. Are you on another antidepressant? It’s been a very long process as I was on it for many years.
I’m still in the process of trying to adjust to Lexapro with dealing with the Paxil discontinuation. Any additional comments are welcomed. Do you feel a new normal?
Thankyou for your response
Mjdennis

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.