mhubz: when to end taper off venlafaxine

[mhubz]

Knowing When to Finalize Tapering Off Venlafaxine 37.5 mg ER

 

I was on Venlafaxine 37.5 mg ER for six months for anxiety/depression due to some very stressful life events. I began, with the help of my nurse practitioner, to taper from this medicine in late September. Initially, the taper regimen recommended was to take one capsule every other day for a week and then take one capsule every third day for a week and then stop. This was way too fast and I had to write to tell my therapist and my NP that I was struggling with withdrawal symptoms. So - I was told to go back to every other day for three weeks before moving to every third day. That was better. However, I have been on the every third day regimen for three weeks now. By the third day, I am having symptoms and am grateful to take my pill. Since there is no dose lower than 37.5 mg, should I just stop now and tough it out? I don't know what to expect. I am having a really tough time with this. Any advice? Thank you in advance. 

 

Edited November 11, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before shortening

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm glad you found us.  Your nurse practitioner is giving you bad advice about how to taper off your venlafaxine/Effexor.  Please do not just stop taking your drug.  Here is a quote from our topic on how to taper off of it:  

 

On 5/5/2011 at 10:01 PM, Altostrata said:

As with other psychiatric drugs, do not taper Effexor by taking a dose every other day! This is like playing ping-pong with your brain.

 

It is very important to taper by reducing our daily dose, and taking the same dose each day, and not skip days.  Not to worry, we will give you better suggestions for how to get off of this drug safely, and with less withdrawal symptoms.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only specific dates, include the day (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day), drug names, and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.  We want to take the same dose of the drug each and every day, at the same time of day.  

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Venlafaxine

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

Are you taking capsules, or tablets?  If capsules, I would suggest that you count how many beads are in a capsule, and take 1/3 of a capsule worth of beads each and every day at the same time.  The link above "Tips for Tapering Venlafaxine" will explain details on how to do this - please read this.  If you are taking the tablets, you may wish to switch to the capsules.  Since you are currently taking 37.5 mg every 3rd day, I suggest you now take 12.5 mg (1/3 capsule) every day, to get your blood levels of the drug on an even keel, and help your brain to stabilize.  Then, I would stay on this regimen for a while, and allow your nervous system to settle.  I would give it at least a couple of months, if not longer.  Then, when your symptoms have settled down for at least a couple of weeks, you can continue to taper.  

 

Please keep us posted, and let us know how it's going.  Let us know if you have any questions.  

Edited November 18, 2022 by getofflex

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @mhubz

 

Please stop skipping doses to taper venlafaxine. You are getting severe withdrawal syndrome from this. NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER 

 

If I were you, I'd request a prescription for 25mg immediate-release venlafaxine. This needs to be take twice a day. Suggest you take half a tablet in the morning and the other half 12 hours later, such as 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Unless it makes you sleepy, you would not want to take venlafaxine too close to bedtime.) 

 

Then you can stabilize and taper venlafaxine more gradually, possibly with a liquid. See Tips for tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor)