Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you
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Hi Leonard, please see my reply to @ Frances 007, I re-iterate your advice based on my experiences.
I was on 75mg per day for hot flashes. It was not a problem for me to drop to 37.5mg per day. If you want to be cautious, I recommend a slow process, such as alternating capsules for a week to see how you respond on days of 37.5mg. If no reaction, then you should be okay to go to 37.5mg per day. On rare days that I forgot to take a pill, I would begin to feel nauseous–a reminder that I missed it–and take it immediately, and be ok. It is more difficult to discontinue the lowest dosage, in my experience. I weaned myself off by adding more hours between 37.5mg capsules, then a day between pills, until I was taking so few that I figured I could do without.
I've been off them for about two months, and am feeling extreme anxiety now, after feeling ok after stopping the drug. During withdrawal period, I had occasional nightmares (without realizing they were the result of withdrawal). I am no longer constipated and have less of an appetite for food, so I've lost weight since stopping the drug. With this degree of anxiety, I am not sure I can stay off the 37.5mg per day, but I am trying to alleviate the anxiety by other means–exercise, deep breathing, etc. My doctor suspects that I need the drug now to control anxiety; I would prefer to be off the drug, due to its side effects and difficulty of withdrawal. (No change in hot flashes; I still have them with and without Effexor. It was a mistake to prescribe this drug for hot flashes.)
@simon007
Yes, I understand some people can stop abruptly and do well. Some can titrate slowly and still have problems. My brother is one who stopped in a week without one withdrawal symptom. One person here decreased their medicine by such infinitesimally small amounts and still had withdrawals. One lady here abruptly stopped and had a stroke.
Studies show that stopping Effexor quickly the
symptoms are worse and last longer than in those who stop slowly. So, it seems more reasonable to me that when someone wants to discontinue Effexor it seems to me they may have a better chance of success to titrate a small amount from the start not wait until the end of the taper. Admittedly, this is not everyone's experience. I believe in safety first. Why not decrease the chance of withdrawals as much as possible?
Take care,
Jake
in reply to @njoys Thank you very much! I did take a 37.5 mg capsule this morning and will see how it works out. I appreciate this helpful information.
in reply to @jakedduck1 Thank you very much. I understand your point, however, I am in the Medicare Donut Hole in terms of my prescription drugs, and I would imagine that using a compounding pharmacy would be too costly for me. I fell into the hole after filling some new migraine medication twice, until my copay went up 300 percent. Luckily, I have a good doctor who gives me sample when I need them and until I can afford the $150 copay.
@ francis007
Perhaps you could contact the manufacturer and see if you qualify for more affordable medication.
There is a seizure medicine that costs about $32,000 a year but some receive it for $20.00 or so a month.
Your copay is outrageous.
I hope something works out for you. Medicare has a plan called “The Extra Help program.” It helps with medication, copays and deductibles. However, that program doesn't help with compounded drugs as I understand it.
Take care,
Jake
Hi Andrew,
I'm desperate to come off Effexor having tried (including counting the beads in the capsules) unsuccessfully several times with the withdrawals symptoms being crippling. Can you please advise what dose prozac to take during the three days overlap. I would be so grateful to know. Is it the same dose of prozac whether you are on the 75mg or 37.5mg capsules of Effexor?
Jake, thanks. You seem to have monitored this issue on this site longer than me ! My burning question is – how long do the side – effects / withdrawal effects last after a long titration ? = with a complete cessation of pill intake? Have you seen timeline evidence of how long people experience these "legacy" issues? thanks.
@simon007
I’m sorry I can't answer your question because of how differently people react.
I took over 2 years to taper my Klonopin. My taper was uneventful exexpt very slight symptoms when I finished my taper. I immediately chipped off an extremely tiny piece which quickly eliminated my symptom/s and never had another symptom.
If I was having withdrawal symptoms I would increase the dose until the symptoms go away, then possibly increase the length of time between cuts (I cut my dose usually every 2-4 weeks) and not skip days. I would taper down from day one until I was finished. Some people cut their dose by 50% in the beginning which usually is asking for trouble.
One lady was tapering 1/2 of one percent (I believe) anyway an infinitesimally small amount and she still suffered withdrawals. So tapering isn't a guarantee to prevent withdrawals but tapering slowly enough provides the best chance to prevent them.
Best of luck,
Jake
Hi I’m on day 4 cold turkey 🙈! I went on Effexor 225mg then to 75mg over 9 mths and now cold turkey . I only went on it for a relationship break up . I’m feeling it is now time to get off it. I feel nauseous that’s all atm. I know I shouldn’t go cold turkey but I’m pushing through it. I’m hoping it will be better after a week or so! It’s not my mental emotions , I just feel rather shit atm 😂!