Tips for tapering off Effexor and Effexor XR (venlafaxine)

[WantoffVen]

6 minutes ago, magnesi said:

Doesn't anyone have a reference? Would jumping at 5% the initial Effexor dose be OK?

Thank you in advance

 

Why are you concerned with a jumping off dose if you're still at 24mg? Take your time. Slow is never bad. If you want help I think you need to type @altostrata or another administrator and they will get your question. I went from 300mg. Venlafaxine to 75 mg and then back up to 150mg but doing okay there. In time I will try to drop down again. Don't be in a big hurry.

 

[Altostrata]

Don't worry about a jumping-off point until you're much further along. You'll have to observe your withdrawal symptom pattern at low dosages.

[magnesi]

22 hours ago, WantoffVen said:

Why are you concerned with a jumping off dose if you're still at 24mg? Take your time. Slow is never bad. If you want help I think you need to type @altostrata or another administrator and they will get your question. I went from 300mg. Venlafaxine to 75 mg and then back up to 150mg but doing okay there. In time I will try to drop down again. Don't be in a big hurry.

 

Thank you for your answer. I like to plan my life, that's how I do things. I'll take my time, I'm cutting 20% per month and it's going well, but I'd like to have an idea of when to jump. People eventually have to jump. Planning is not the same as worrying. Best luck with your taper!

 

[magnesi]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Don't worry about a jumping-off point until you're much further along. You'll have to observe your withdrawal symptom pattern at low dosages.

Thank you, I'm not worrying but I would like to plan. I've tapered a benzo and the AD until now without any steps back based on planing and listening to my body. It's important to have an idea of how thing will probably unfold, even if we need to correct it along the way.

[Superwoman]

On 1/13/2020 at 6:53 PM, magnesi said:

Thank you, I'm not worrying but I would like to plan. I've tapered a benzo and the AD until now without any steps back based on planing and listening to my body. It's important to have an idea of how thing will probably unfold, even if we need to correct it along the way.

I think that I read on here that the jump off point is less then 1mg.  There is some individual variation. 

[Superwoman]

Does anyone know of any research on tapering Effexor xr by opening the capsules and dividing out the beads?  I want to have something to show my doctor confirming that this method is safe.    I think this method is safe and preferable to the standard ludicrous method of tapering Effexor xr.  However, I have to convince my doctor of this and I don’t want another fight.  My family doctor who is taper friendly, is on medical leave and likely retiring.  I have an appointment with a new TMS psychiatrist in March and I want to be prepared. 

[maxfly]

Hi Superwoman, 

 

I have been going to a compounding pharmacy to have custom capsules made of 5 and 10mg.  The compounding pharmacy simply buys manufacturer capsules and beadcounts into empty capsules - so I don't have to do it.  So beadcounting is an accepted approach at compounding pharmacies.  Perhaps you could find a local compounding pharmacy a (or ask your doctor to recommend a compounding pharmacy) and see if they can write you an email recommending the beadcounting approach? 

 

 

 

[Superwoman]

1 hour ago, maxfly said:

Hi Superwoman, 

 

I have been going to a compounding pharmacy to have custom capsules made of 5 and 10mg.  The compounding pharmacy simply buys manufacturer capsules and beadcounts into empty capsules - so I don't have to do it.  So beadcounting is an accepted approach at compounding pharmacies.  Perhaps you could find a local compounding pharmacy a (or ask your doctor to recommend a compounding pharmacy) and see if they can write you an email recommending the beadcounting approach? 

 

 

 

Hi Magfly,

 

That is a good idea. If I can find a compounding pharmacist to do this?  Originally I talked with my local compounding pharmacist about having custom capsules of Effexor xr made up.  The pharmacist called the drug manufacturer in order to find out some basic information about the drug.  He got a customer service employee who either could not or would not answer his questions.  The person just read from the drug pamphlet.  He said that he could not make up the pills without knowing this information because there would be liability for him and he needed to make sure it was safe. 

[Superwoman]

7 hours ago, maxfly said:

Hi Superwoman, 

 

I have been going to a compounding pharmacy to have custom capsules made of 5 and 10mg.  The compounding pharmacy simply buys manufacturer capsules and beadcounts into empty capsules - so I don't have to do it.  So beadcounting is an accepted approach at compounding pharmacies.  Perhaps you could find a local compounding pharmacy a (or ask your doctor to recommend a compounding pharmacy) and see if they can write you an email recommending the beadcounting approach? 

 

 

 

I contacted the drug manufacturer to try to find out more information about this medication.  It is like pulling teeth to get any information out of the drug companies       and when I do it seems to be vague or inaccurate. I even walked into a Effexor manufacturer factory and tried to get answers.  I thought they were going to walk me out in handcuffs lol.  I will contact your pharmacy.  I will PM you. Thanks

[magnesi]

Thanks superwoman

[Superwoman]

On 3/12/2020 at 9:46 PM, magnesi said:

Thanks superwoman

Your welcome Magnesi. 

[Nelly]

Hello

Does anyone have any positive or encouraging experiences of bridging from venlafaxine to Prozac please?  Or at least less brutal methods of remaining on or tapering off

Venlafaxine. Thank you 

[whatshappening]

On 5/6/2020 at 11:28 AM, Nelly said:

Hello

Does anyone have any positive or encouraging experiences of bridging from venlafaxine to Prozac please?  Or at least less brutal methods of remaining on or tapering off

Venlafaxine. Thank you 

I would like to know the same thing. I'm at 3mg of effexor and have been experiencing major symptoms ever since 12 mg. I'm about ready to throw in the towel and bridge over to prozac with a longer half life but want some feedback from others here.

[Altostrata]

As explained in post #1 in this topic, some doctors will substitute Prozac for Effexor as a way to bridge people off Effexor.

[Gussy]

Do you guys know of anyone who has successfully tapered off by  turning their tablets into powder, mixing it in a certain amount of water and using a syringe to extract the appropriate amount of water? I wonder if it is absorbed ok and doesn't just go through the intestines and not much gets absorbed? Maybe if it were taken at meal time it might be absorbed ok? This could really be a good option for those who like taking tablets or don't want to risk their prescription by bringing it up with their doctor requesting being switched to beads etc, if it's doable that is.

[Altostrata]

Please read this topic from the beginning.

[OzAnnie]

Hi everyone

I'm looking for some advice about nearing the taper-end. 

 

Happy to report that the 10% reduction has worked really well. I started on 37.5mg effexor and have been counting beads for about a year now. My 10% was based on 134 beads/capsule and now I'm on 32 beads/day. In the 1st few months I had some minor withdrawal symptoms but in the last few months, no unpleasant symptoms at all. 

 

I'm thinking about the coming months and how to make/plan the final break. 10% reduction now looks like many months with reducing by just 3, 2 then 1 bead/month. 

Following the 10% recommendation, the schedule will be Nov-29 beads, Dec- 26 beads, Jan-23 beads, Feb- 21 beads, March- 19 beads, April-17, May-15  etc for about a year.

Can anyone share the end of their taper where they have been successfully reducing?

I am considering going with 10%+1bead if nil symptoms develop.

Stay well all

Annie

37.5 effexor XR commenced approx 2004

Commenced taper October 2019 (counting beads to reduce by 10% per month)

About 9mg effexor XR October 2020 +  Magnesium, Vit B +C, Zinc, Evening Primrose oil

[whatshappening]

9 minutes ago, OzAnnie said:

Hi everyone

I'm looking for some advice about nearing the taper-end. 

 

Happy to report that the 10% reduction has worked really well. I started on 37.5mg effexor and have been counting beads for about a year now. My 10% was based on 134 beads/capsule and now I'm on 32 beads/day. In the 1st few months I had some minor withdrawal symptoms but in the last few months, no unpleasant symptoms at all. 

 

I'm thinking about the coming months and how to make/plan the final break. 10% reduction now looks like many months with reducing by just 3, 2 then 1 bead/month. 

Following the 10% recommendation, the schedule will be Nov-29 beads, Dec- 26 beads, Jan-23 beads, Feb- 21 beads, March- 19 beads, April-17, May-15  etc for about a year.

Can anyone share the end of their taper where they have been successfully reducing?

I am considering going with 10%+1bead if nil symptoms develop.

Stay well all

Annie

37.5 effexor XR commenced approx 2004

Commenced taper October 2019 (counting beads to reduce by 10% per month)

About 9mg effexor XR October 2020 +  Magnesium, Vit B +C, Zinc, Evening Primrose oil

Hi Annie 

effexor is a tricky one. I’m like you started with 37.5mg. I’m currently at 3.5mg. I up-dosed a week ago from 3mg to see if some symptoms would minimize but nothing of significance so far to report on improvements. This seems To be a threshold point for me.

 

i actually weigh versus counting beads since some beads are bigger than others. I’ve also done the whole 10% but by active ingredient mg dose not by bead count. I’ve found It’s been tricker to get that exact 10% of current dose especially past 5mg as each bead weighs a little more than what a 10% cut would be at this point. 

[OzAnnie]

Hi  @whatshappeningThanks for sharing your experience

Can I ask you what happened to make you increase from 3 to 3.5mg? What sort of symptoms were you experiencing? 

Another question- what do you use to weigh the beads? I don't have scales and from what you describe, I may need to purchase some.

It seems that the tail-end is difficult to budge-....sigh.

It is exciting to get down to such a low dose though- congratulations.

Annie

 

[whatshappening]

50 minutes ago, OzAnnie said:

Hi  @whatshappeningThanks for sharing your experience

Can I ask you what happened to make you increase from 3 to 3.5mg? What sort of symptoms were you experiencing? 

Another question- what do you use to weigh the beads? I don't have scales and from what you describe, I may need to purchase some.

It seems that the tail-end is difficult to budge-....sigh.

It is exciting to get down to such a low dose though- congratulations.

Annie

 

Insomnia for one. It’s been the one major symptom that I faced when coming down to 3mg the last time in 2016. I had to reinstate vans then start taper again in summer 2017. Fast forward to now and at the same dose again with the same nightmare. With lack of sleep it’s brought on other symptoms due to the stress of not sleeping ( Ear worm, wired voice or imprint of words I’ve maybe heard earlier at some point, anxiety, high blood pressure, high pulse, energy surges etc) trying to stay strong and not updose more than I need to. Cause I don’t want to go through this again. Get it over with already if can.

 

Ohaus scout scale jewelry scale.  It’s a little more costly ($400) but I haven’t needed to replace it since buying.  those mini jewelry scales from amazon Are cheaper ($25) but I was buying them about every 2-3 months cause it would always start taring inaccurately after awhile. Make sure you get a scale that can measure 0.001g and not 0.01g.
 

You can check out my intro post. I have some pics of my weighing within the later posts.

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, whatshappening said:

I was buying them about every 2-3 months cause it would always start taring inaccurately after awhile.

 

Were you changing the battery/ies?

[whatshappening]

43 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Were you changing the battery/ies?

Yes of course. The rating variations each time were to erratic. It would not zero out and either show positive numbers added or negative numbers. (Ie. -0.002 or 0.003) and then when I’d add the weighing pan back the numbers never added up to the differences.

 

this was a consistent finding for me with the cheaper scales.

[Gussy]

Crushing effexor tablets and liquid tapering?

 

Hi everyone at this kick ass site. I added a comment in the relevant section a few weeks ago (i think it was that amount of time) but haven.t seen a response. I wonder if anyone has crushed effexor tablets and mixed with water or some kind of liquid for more precise dosing/to be able to go down as low as possible and it be effective? If so, how much water/liquid did you/they allow for each mg of effexor? Just thinking it could be a good way for those who don.t want to change to other brands or risk their prescriptions by raising it with drs who may try force their methods. Or has this approach not worth thinking about? Thanks for reading.

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

15 minutes ago, Gussy said:

I added a comment in the relevant section a few weeks ago (i think it was that amount of time) but haven.t seen a response.

 

Alto responded:

 

On 10/15/2020 at 2:25 PM, Altostrata said:

Please read this topic from the beginning.

 

Post #1 of this topic has a lot of information about how to get the dose you need.

[Gussy]

On 10/23/2020 at 8:15 PM, ChessieCat said:

 

Alto responded:

 

 

Post #1 of this topic has a lot of information about how to get the dose you need.

Thanks and sorry i didn.t see the earlier response. I updated my internet lately and could.ve had a glitch for a few days. I.ll check it out and i.ve actually found someone who.s doing it that way. Hopefully we.ll be in contact long enough to see how it goes.

[Gussy]

On 1/5/2012 at 4:06 AM, Altostrata said:

If it's the regular form of venlafaxine, and not extended-release, you can cut the tablets up to make smaller doses.

Can i ask why xr tabs can.t be cut? Do you have the same idea about crushing and weighing xr tabs/liquid solution? Thanks.

[ChessieCat]

@Gussy

 

Are you able to find the specific tablet you are talking about here?

 

https://www.drugs.com/imprints.php

[Altostrata]

I"ve revised post #1, including:

 

Taper with extended-release venlafaxine tablets

If the extended-release tablets are cut, the extended-release quality is compromised. It is likely the tablet pieces will be quickly absorbed as immediate-release venlafaxine. If you are accustomed to extended-release venlafaxine, you may experience this as uncomfortable "dosage dumping" or a significant adverse reaction.

 

If you're taking extended-release venlafaxine tablets, you might switch to the same dosage in the capsules containing tiny beads, if available, and use the bead-counting method, or switch to the same dosage in immediate-release tablets, if available, and follow the tips above for tapering with immediate-release venlafaxine.

 

If you have no choice but to taper by cutting up extended-release tablets, you may wish to convert your dosage into the smaller 37.5mg XR tablets, and taper by splitting only one of the smaller tablets. The combination may cushion the effects of a more immediate release of the drug. Note that doses in immediate-release tablet form have much shorter half-lives than those made from extended-release venlafaxine and may need to be spread out over the day.

 

For example, if you're taking 150mg XR per day, request that your prescription be filled with one 75mg XR tablet and two 37.5mg tablets per day (for insurance coverage, your doctor probably will have to write the prescription as a spilt dosage of 112.5mg in the a.m. and 37.5mg in the p.m.). You can then take your daily dose as 112.5mg XR in the morning and start tapering by cutting the 37.5mg tablet for a smaller dose later in the day.

 

For more precise dosing when splitting tablets, use a digital scale to weigh tablet pieces.

[Gussy]

Thank you for clarifying. I thought there may.ve been a reason other than the xr mechanism becoming compromised that you knew of. 

 

Edited November 10, 2020 by ChessieCat
removed quote

[DavidH888]

Does anyone know typically how many beads are in a 150mg XR capsule? I opened a capsule and tried to count them, but their so tiny it's hard to count them. I just took out 10 beads and took the rest for my dose. Would this be a good way to taper? I can take out 10 beads every 4 weeks. Or should I take out less? Sorry, I'm a noob at this.

 

EDIT: Sorry I should have read the thread more thoroughly. How can I tell which brand I have? It doesn't say on the bottle. When I opened it, I'd guess there was around 100 beads. Definitely not 450.

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, DavidH888 said:

When I opened it, I'd guess there was around 100 beads. Definitely not 450.

 

It depends on the dose you have.

 

2 hours ago, DavidH888 said:

How can I tell which brand I have? It doesn't say on the bottle.

 

You could ask your doctor or pharmacist.

 

You could check this.  You can either search by what the drug looks like or type in the drug name (I'd use drug name not brand name):

 

https://www.drugs.com/imprints.php

[DavidH888]

Thank you. I looked on the bottle closer and it says in small writing, Zydus Pharmaceutical.

 

This it right here. I guess I'll have to count the beads.

https://www.drugs.com/imprints/za-37-150-mg-17636.html

 

Can I just swallow the beads as is? I've heard you can put them in Yogurt.

 

Would going down by 10 beads every four weeks be ok? Sorry I'm just confused.

[ChessieCat]

If you go to this topic there are members discussing how they count their beads.

 

counting-beads-in-a-capsule-versus-weighing

 

There is one member who uses an aluminium or plastic cake container bottom.  There is a lot of information there.

 

[maxfly]

Anyone have experience switching Effexor brands?  Did you notice any difference on the new brand?

 

The brand I've been taking for 4 years, Teva, suddenly stopped making Effexor XR.  I switched to a brand called APO.  I chose this brand because it has 450 beads in a 75mg capsule and should be good for tapering.  I've noticed my sleep has been shallow and interrupted and I have mild headaches.  It's been 3 weeks.  Could this be due to my system getting used to the new brand?

 

Thoughts?

[ChessieCat]

Generally when switching drug manufacturer we suggest doing a cross over because it is gentler on your system, each combo for 3-7 days (longer if needed):  3/4 + 1/4, 1/2 + 1/2, 1/4 + 3/4.  No reduction at the same time.  Good information to have if needed down the track.  Also a good idea not to leave getting the next prescription filled at the last moment.

 

However this obviously cannot be done if you haven't planned for it and they switch brands.  Very frustrating.

 

Yes, some members do notice a worsening of symptoms when changing.  Some even when doing cross over.

 

change-in-drug-manufacturer-or-generic-substituted-for-brand-name-drug

 

It's best to hold on the current dose until stable:

 

Stability

 

WDnormal
 

[Superwoman]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

 

However this obviously cannot be done if you haven't planned for it and they switch brands.  Very frustrating

I informed my pharmacy that I need to stick with the same brand of generic every time.  They made a note of it in my file.