Is it hard to come off of Effexor XR, been on it 5yrs taking 37.5mg per day?

Question

what kind of symptoms can i expect coming off of it?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

It can be bad for some people, so you should definitely be talking with your doctor about this. If you're switching to a different medication, then starting on that a few days to a week beforehand can make coming off Effexor XR easier. Another option is switching to Effexor IR (immediate-release, also available generic) and decreasing your daily dose even further before coming off of it completely.
Symptom-wise, it's different for everyone but the other answers have it covered pretty well.

Answer 3

I'm glad this question was asked because I have direct experience coming off of the same dose of effexor as you. I decided for myself that I would just stop taking it and after two or three days without medicating myself, I would develop a sensation in my head that most closely resembles a headache, but is something else - sort of a mixture between vertigo, detachment and pins and needles, an awful mixture of physical and mental wear. Now that I think about it, I believe I was on 75 mg before weaning myself off to 37.5 and then trying cold turkey. After a period of time, maybe a month or two, after having been on the drug for a couple of years, my withdrawal symptoms slowly diminished. I just started taking prozac a couple of weeks ago after being drug free for a while, so I'm hoping that if and when I come off it, I will not experience the dreadful come down effects of effexor. However, of all the SSRI's I've ever been on, Effexor may have been the most effective.

Edit: just fyi, I took effexor for bad OCD and anxiety.

Answer 4

How should I take venlafaxine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Venlafaxine should be taken with food. Try to take venlafaxine at the same time each day.
Swallow the controlled-release capsule (Effexor XR) whole, without crushing or chewing. To make the medication easier to swallow, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a small amount of applesauce. Swallow all of the mixture without chewing, and do not save any for later use.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
It may take 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
You should not stop using venlafaxine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
This medicine can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking venlafaxine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.


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Answer 5

Whatever you do DON'T come off the med alone without talking to your doc... I think, however, if the doctor instructs you to taper off and you follow the instructions, you shouldn't experience anything adverse EXCEPT for the returning of your symptoms that you were taking the effexor for in the first place. Are you replacing it with another med? If so, the doc might be able to cross-taper so that you don't have bad effects. If you start to notice nightmares, depression, anxiety, sadness, anger, loss of appetite or sleep problems call doc asap.

Answer 6

It won't be hard if you come off of it gradually. Taper yourself off by slowing decreasing the dose and amount taken. Do it over a period of two to three weeks. If you do it automatically you will put yourself in to acute drug withdrawal. Shivering, sweating, stomach upset, severe headaches, crying ,shakiness,dizziness, blurred vision are withdrawal symptoms along with suicidal ideations.

According to an article I read the withdrawal from this drug makes you suicidal for months after taking it. I am going to give you that website so you can read the article yourself.

Answer 7

I was taking 300mg of Effexor XR for about 12mths, I went off it cold turkey (my dr or shrink dont even know yet) and I experienced headaches/migraines for a week or two, but i am still here, no vomiting, no diarhea, no withdrawels as such. But your dr should be able to answer your questions from a medical point of view. I just stopped cus i couldn't afford any of it anymore...

Answer 8

I would not think at that dose it would be hard.
I have just stopped taking 400mg Wellbutrin by dropping to 150mg daily then stopped about 3 weeks ago after 5+yrs on it.
I gained a little weight.

Make sure you get some exercise, it will make you feel better.

Answer 9

I would defiantly not advise just quitting you need to taper the drug. I learned this the hard way. When i stopped I was reduced to a crying mess on the floor for 3 days straight.Not a good time.

Answer 10

Taper