ScotsLass 600mg to 300mg venlafaxine - can't be right?

[ScotsLass]

Hi,

 

After two weeks of feeling like I was having a constant heart attack (and my GP saying it was probably just anxiety over the phone) I realised that I'd been taking 600mg a day instead of 300mg. I normally get two 150mg pills but it changed to one 300mg a few weeks ago and I didn't realise, so kept taking two tablets. 

 

I ended up in Accident and Emergency after realising what happened. All my bloods and ecg came back fine but I do have an elevated heart rate. A&E said I need to drop straight down to 300mg and that I won't experience withdrawals. 

 

As someone who has attempted to taper gradually in the past and found it intolerable, I find this suggestion ridiculous. I'm terrified of the next few days to find out what withdrawals are like, especially during the weekend. Not sure whether to try and seek more specific advice before the weekend or if I'm over reacting??? 

 

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @ScotsLass

 

Yes, you probably can go right down to 300mg. You're taking so much, it's caused serious cardiac symptoms. If you take a dosage for less than a month, the risk of withdrawal is low.

 

However, you had a severe adverse reaction to excessive dosage, and it may take a while for your system to settle down.

 

300mg is still a very high dosage of venlafaxine. It's possible you'll find it difficult to tolerate. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

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