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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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Buy yourself a copy of the Maudesley Deprescribing Guidelines. This is not cheap, but worth every penny. My GP admitted that although she prescribes Venlafaxine with no problem, she has no idea about reducing it. As you have found yourself, it is one of the worst medications to get off. You really need this book as the instructions about tapering venlafaxine dosages are specific, and invaluable. I’m sure that you will not regret buying it, and that you will be able to stop the venlafaxine with its help.
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1 ReactionThat's really hard and disappointing.
I've been using prozac as a bridge to come off efexor, early stages, was on 150mg, now on 75mg plus 40mg prozac.
Maybe prozac or something like it might get you thru this difficult patch.
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2 Reactions@zainahelizabeth thank you
I have the book and have been following instructions
I am finding it difficult to titrate small doses
Interesting to dilute (so non XR) and to take it twice daily.
I've started from 75 mg and wil remove the beads/spheroids.
There has been doubt whether or not each bead has the same dose. I found an official letter from Pfizer stating this is the case.
Each bead is about 0,34 mg (37.5 mg / 110) . So I can follow your chart about to step 33.
Wil look into the diluting, if this is available here.