Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

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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mialucy123 | @mialucy123 | Sep 21 9:53pm

In reply to @pjs70 "Be aware that being on Effexor means that going off is a very slow and panic..." + (show)

Has anyone used cannabis to help with withdrawal symptoms from Effexor; like for nausea and sleep? If so, was it the CBD or THC component that you used? Did it help? It seems to help me with nausea and sleep but I am concerned about possible interactions with the Effexor and other meds I am taking.

spreels2 | @spreels2 | Sep 22 9:12am

In reply to @maryjjeandennis "I’m 78 and am tapering to Lexapro from Paxil which stopped working for me. I feel..." + (show)

Hello, and greetings from Plymouth, NC!! I don't understand why you are taking a benzo to help with withdrawal symptoms...l had to take Gabapentin to help with withdrawal symptoms from clonazepam. Will you continue to take clonazapam indefinitely?

spreels2 | @spreels2 | Sep 22 9:13am

Have you tried Gabapentin to help withdrawal symptoms?

maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Sep 22 9:24am

In reply to @truly520 "What dose? I didn’t have any side effects but was on a low dose." + (show)

I am on 25 mg Paxil and 5 mg Lexapro. I feel great. I have been on Clonazapam for many years 1 mg at night .75 mg morning and an additional.25 mg if needed. A former psychiatrist had me in 4 mg. I weaned myself down to the above. At 78 I am happy where I am and Lexapro is really making me feel like it’s workin on my anxiety and depression. My tapering is slow but working . I have an excellent psychiatrist. Hope this helps.
Mjdennis

david707 | @david707 | Sep 22 2:24pm

I have successfully weaned of Effexor many times, I was always replacing it with another SSRI or SSNI, so I did not experience side effects except the usual brain zaps for a short time. I did cut my dosage in 1/2 once, but I went down very slowly over several months. It was manageable.

tisme | @tisme | Sep 23 3:44am

In reply to @david707 "I have successfully weaned of Effexor many times, I was always replacing it with another SSRI..." + (show)

how did u go down slowly?? the effexor you mean ?? they are capsules I am on it cos I cant get off it ( I have tried )

mmsm | @mmsm | Sep 23 8:12am

In reply to @spreels2 "Have you tried Gabapentin to help withdrawal symptoms?" + (show)

I am using gabapentin to help with effexor withdrawal. It helps take the edge off of my anxiety and helps with sleep.
Of course, then I will need to get off the gabapentin!

mialucy123 | @mialucy123 | Sep 23 11:38am

Has anyone used cannabis gummies to help with withdrawal symptoms like nausea and sleep? If so, was it helpful?

cistus | @cistus | Sep 24 2:21pm

In reply to @tisme "how did u go down slowly?? the effexor you mean ?? they are capsules I am..." + (show)

Me too.
On uk we no longer have Effexor made by Pfizer. We have Efexor, one f, by Viatris.
Pharmacists are saying it is not suitable for tapering because the spheroids in the capsules vary so much. It has been impossible for me to taper with it.

Please, has anyone else found this?

david707 | @david707 | Sep 24 2:53pm

In reply to @tisme "how did u go down slowly?? the effexor you mean ?? they are capsules I am..." + (show)

@tisme Venlafaxine comes in 75 and 35 1/2 mg capsules. So my insurance allowed my psychiatric nurse to order these lower doses so I went down over time. I am about to do so again.....150 to 75mg. Actually you can open the 150mg capsule and pour out some of the beads in a cup approximating how much you want to lower the dose which I am about to do.