emdee: Effexor taper

[emdee]

Hi-I was prescribed Effexor ER 37.5 mg daily for tinnitus, which hasn't worked, (after taking for approximately 1 year) so I wanted to get off it. Not knowing what to do-I tried taking every other day - experienced extreme dizziness - then I realized it was from the taper (I had only missed 2 doses). Contacted my provider, who ordered Effexor 37.5 mg-and said to take 1/2 pill daily (she prescribed a 1 month supply). After reading some of the posts here, I am really nervous about the taper. I wondered if I took 27 mg (3/4 tab) , then decreased to 19 mg (1/2 tab), then to 10 mg (1/4) tab--does that sound reasonable? ( I also still have 13 capsules of Effexor XR left, I have ordered empty capsules and stated counting the pellets -- but wasn't sure if counting the pellets and adding that to the mix would be even more confusing)

Thank you! Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Edited October 18, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Emdee.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  You'll need to use a computer rather than a phone.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.  We strongly advise against tapering by skipping doses, which makes withdrawal worse.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

You are right to be nervous about the proposed taper.  Your doctor's plan is a 50% decrease, which is much higher than we recommend and puts you at risk withdrawal symptoms that can be unpleasant and long-lasting.  Doctors know nothing about safe tapering and don't believe in withdrawal.  Our experience here has been the opposite.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Your plan is far too fast.  Dropping fro, 37.5 to 27 is a 28% decrease; from 27 to 9 is a 29.6% decrease; from 19 to 10 is a 47% decrease; and from 10 to zero is a 100% decrease.

 

Counting beads is an accepted method for tapering Effexor and much better than cutting tablets. This link explains how to taper by counting beads.

 

Tips for tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor)

 

You'll need to have a supply of Effexor for your taper.  Will your doctor be willing to continue prescribing Effexor XR?  Any M.D. can prescribe psychiatric drugs.  

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signatures, ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by Gridley