Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

This morning I received two telephone calls with the same message (telling me my prescribed med was correct for my condition). A couple of days ago I received a text that I had NOT gone to my October 6 apptmt and I should contact my provider. I did go to my October 6 apptmt with Marit Hartman on Baldwin 6. And I replied to the text and asked what was the issue. No reply to that. About a week ago I received a message on the portal "to schedule an appointment" no indication on what kind of apptmt I should schedule. (At that time I had alrready scheduled my flu shot and Covid booster and knew that W4 would contact me for my Covid test.) A few days ago I received two phone calls from W4, both of which went to voicemail as I was at work, asking me to schedule my Covid test prior to my dental hygiene; I returned the call and scheduled that test. A day or so later I received two text messages with the identical request from W4. Please reply and indicate when this will be corrected.
Thank you
Rosemary Bradshaw

I’m down to 37.5mg once a day and a 1/4 crumb once a day. This has taken one month of gradually reducing my prescription.
Anyone else trying to get off of Effexor ?

Hi Huxy and welcome. You may have noticed that I moved your question to this long-standing discussion about tapering off Effexor. Click this link if you'd like to read from the beginning https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine/

I moved your question here so that you can fellow members like
@texasduchess @jakedduck1 @sears @momo13 @vfrifr @dianecostella @miker8888 @db1 and others who have successfully weaned off Effexor or are currently in the process of doing so.

You're absolutely right that this has to be done very gradually. The pace may vary from person to person, but slowly is key. How long did you take Effexor? Can you tell what you mean by "a 1/4 crumb once a day"?

Sounds like you’re doing well. That last 37.5 could be a problem. Taper that dose very very slowly. Some get stuck on 37.5 for a long time.

Thank you! That is good to know. I hate the days with nausea…but it passes soon enough with a brisk walk.

I was on Venlafaxine for about 20 years, Effexor before that for around 2 years(that got expensive hence the switch to Venlafaxine), Prozac for about 5 years before that. Looking at the amount of time I have been on this drug is shocking.
There was a time when my life was stressful but my God! This is ridiculous I have lived a peaceful life for over 10 years. I would have stopped a long time ago but the withdrawal is not a cake walk. I want out!
Venlafaxine comes in tablet form. My prescription calls for me to take two 37.5 mg tabs a day.
On Oct.1st I cut a number of tabs in half and started a two and a half week schedule of 11/2 tabs a day. Now I am down to 11/4 tabs a day.(I call the 1/4 a crumb…because it is!) November 5 I plan to only take one 37.5 tablet a day for a month then 1/2 of that for awhile then nothing.
I experienced my worst bout of feeling nauseous today, which is why I joined this forum. Ugh, it went away after I ate something and went for a walk.
It’s nice to have a place to go for support and other stories.
Thank you!

P.s…thank you for moving me. This is the sort of forum I was looking for.

@huxy
You mentioned taking half your dose. I wouldn’t reduce your medication by 50% or anywhere near that much. You have to go slow. You have taken this drug for a long time and that plays a part in how long you need to taper. There is no one formula for tapering so going slow is you best chance of not having any withdrawals. Don’t be in a hurry. Even a long taper would be short compared to how long you’ve taken it. I believe you’ll regret cutting your medication in half especially as your dose decreases. Are you currently having any withdrawal symptoms?
Take care,
Jake

Thank you Jake!
I agree with you. I may have not been clear. I reduced my pills by a quarter. From 2 tabs to 1 1/2 then 1 1/4 (both for three weeks). After I finish the 1 1/4 tabs I plan to go to 1 tablet.
Thank you for your input. Believe me when I say it is hard enough reducing by this amount! I’d hate to go any faster.

@huxy
“Believe me when I say it is hard enough reducing by this amount! I’d hate to go any faster.”
How about going a little slower and making it easier.
I went off several medications so slowly I never had any symptoms at all.
You decreased your dose by about 25%, which is high. You say it’s “hard” that would indicate to me your tapering to fast.
There is a tappering method known as the 5-10% taper. It’s best if it’s done through a compounding pharmacy. Large tapers are better tolerated in the beginning but as your dose decreases if your taper isn’t adjusted withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur.
Jake