How To Reduce Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms

I had been on Effexor XR for years, I was in an extremely toxic work situation and ended up with most of my meds being tripled or changed to something stronger. Thank God no longer in that position. Decided I needed to start decreasing my meds + they were becoming very expensive. My Dr said to decrease gradually, which I was doing, until I suddenly became extremely ill, nausea diahreaha, thought I had the flu, during that time did not take anymore Effexor XR at all and have not since. Realized the night before I got sick I had forgotten to take my Niaspan ER, which I've been taking for high cholesterol. Ever since then I haven't been sick, a little dizzy now and then but nothing else

My weaning journey started with Pristiq which is like effexor on steroids!  It is extended relief which means you can't cut the tablets, does not come in capsules or small doses.  I knew it was going to be hell because if I missed one dose I was in bed with all the typical symptoms.  I did my research and went to my doctor asking to switch to effexor (had been on it years ago and tapered successfully, but s-l-o-w-l-y... like 18 months slowly).  The key is effexor immediate release NOT XR.  Immediate release comes in tablets that you take twice per day and they can be cut to taper slowly.  I went from Pristiq to effexor over christmas with NO ill effects and am now down to 12.5 mg once per day with very little withdrawl.  The key is also to do it slowly.  Some of you think days between dropping doses, but I'm talking WEEKS.  It is a long process, but you have to decide which you prefer - dragging it out with fewer side effects or doing it quicker being sick.  I do minimum of a week in between dosage drops and sometimes two weeks for my body to adjust and if I'm really feeling dizzy and sick I will take benadryl.

I started weaning a few days before Christmas and hope to be done by the end of February.  I know it's difficult, but I also know it can be done.  You have to be patient - there is no other way and the higher the dosage you're on, the slower it has to go.Use these boards for any hints (benadryl, omega 3's, etc.) that may help you get through the worst of it.  Good Luck

Hi I just read ur post and it has given me hope of being able to come off my dose of effexor, im 4 days in on half dose of 37.5g and yes i get them brain zaps but as im in such a better place in life i hope il be able to sucessfully go meds free. thanks for ur post im gonna do the vit b and omega with extra exercise.

Thank you everybody for all of you advice. I have been coming off 225mg of Effexor for the past week now. My doctor dropped me from 225mg to 75mg for one week, and now 37.5mg for the second week.

This has been hell! Migraines, Brain Zaps, Sweats, Nightmares, Loss on Concentration and Horrible Leg Pains. I will definately be rushing out and purchasing all of the vitamin suggestions.

I have found the Valium has helped me through alot of the pain, however I am very wary of becoming addicted so have been using it sparingly.

After reading the posts, it seems like my doctor has probably pushed me off it too quickly though, as I feel I have done a HUGE jump down in my medication.

Hang in there. I'm on week three without Effexor. It has been as bad for me as for the rest of everyone I have read about. After having ramped down from 150 to 37 mg over a period of 4 weeks, I started my first week without taking a single bead.For those who don't want to hear all the drama, for me, day 10 was  a LOT better...to the point where I could drive and actually talk to people and function. My recipe to health follows...(I am NOT a healthfood nut! My husband stopped by the local Tree-huggers-organic-everything-store to buy the following items that HE looked up because he couldn't take it anymore...my sobbing, etc.)

(4x day) Supplements: Fish Oil, Garlic, Vitamin D. Ready Edibles: Kale, Blueberries, Avocados, Walnuts, Dark Chocolate, Water, water, water, water, Pomegranate Juice, Blueberry Smoothie, Pan fried Fresh Salmon ( invented a delicious recipe using kale and walnuts with the cooked salmon which I'll post if someone wants me to. We could call it Effexor-KickButtFish...or maybe not. )Sleep, sleep, sleep.

Live off ONLY these ingredients, plus plenty of water, and sleep as much as you can. Sleep, sleep, sleep...in spite of the freaky nightmares...just keep sleeping.

I admit to taking an Ambien every night for a week. Demand that your doctor prescribe Ambien or something similar. I hate all drugs now and don't want to ever take anything ever again, but had to fight one battle at a time. On day 3, I wanted to die and seriously considered having my husband take me into the ER. My symptoms are just like everyone else's though, so I knew that all I had to do was get through it. I'm getting through it. I'm starting to feel like my creative-self again. And I want the makers of Effexor to suffer the wrath of all of us who were not informed of the EVIL of this drug. Don't give up. It's hell on earth, but worth coming out the other side. You WILL make it through. Be kind to yourself in the interim. Big hug from fellow sufferer! Hold tight. Hold the line. Victory is around the bend! I promise. xoxoxoxox

I'm 42 and have cold-turkeyed Effexor now four different times in my life.  Personally I just prefer to get it all over with at once, although I know that's not for everyone.  One little tip I found this time:  chewing peppermint gum helps with the nausea, as does treating it like morning sickness and eating a couple of crackers before getting up and moving.  I can tell you that the withdrawl symptoms will pass and you'll come back to normal - hang in there!  Good luck to you all!!!

I've been off of effexor for just a little over one month, and I am happy to announce that I am completely free of all withdrawal symptoms! I have been completely free of symptoms for a little over a week and a half. No more brain zaps and vertigo. I am completely free of all prescription medication, and I feel great. I still take multivitamins in the morning, but that's about it. Don't get discouraged -- the storm will eventually pass.

Thank you so much! Its so hard to keep going when it hurts so much. Its great to hear that it can be done, and I will keep pushing through this.

First, God bless you. Your words here have given me hope. My 27yr old son has been on the horrific EVIL drug for almost 7yrs. 1st, 75mg, 150mgs, then down to 75mgs, then to 37.5mgs. He thought he was doing the correct thing in taking it every other day as the doctor told him to while weaning off. It never did much good anyway. He had a series of bad events and was grief stricken when he went on it. The GP said, "You're depressed son." and gave him the pills. I am so upset and angry that he was ever put on such a powerful medication/poision to begin with by a GP. Only a specialist should do that. Actually I want to see it withdrawn from the market all together! Drug companies LIE. They do not inform the doctors or Nurse Practioner's or PA's, of the extreme side effects while on and coming off this poision. I wll keep my eyes on this post and my prayer's are definately with you Sweetheart. Much love. Don't blame yourself. You are a good nurse and wanted to help ppl. Now after this you can testify to them about natural ways to take care of their bodies. I do know that Omega 3's xs 3 a day and a good B complex is helping my only child with his symptoms. He will be whole again and you too. Take care. With much appreciation, from a worried loving mother.

Im on 75 mg a day and have been for 9 yrs. i want off of this med but dont know the best approach. Do i taper with immediate release effexor? Do i bridge w prozac? Im so scared and dont know what to do! Help please.

i'd been on Effexor for 2 1/2 years, when the Celexa I was on wasn't doing the trick as I tried to handle life changing events. I'd done very well on Celexa for years. The dr. decided to change over to Effexor rather than increasing the Celexa - a decision that the Psyiatrist at the same clinic strongly disagreed with, but it was too late - I was already on Effexor. I've only been on 75 mg., but it was doing a great job of handling my anxiety and depression. BUT - I had high blood pressure, and finally, finally made the connection that my blood pressure had risen at the same time as I was put on Effexor. so the Dr. weaned me from 75 mg to 37.5 mg. over a period of 2 weeks, then put me  back on 20 mg. of Celexa, to replace the Effexor. i am SO lucky to have only one of all the side effects everyone has talked about, which is that I am SO, SO tired all the time. I feel and look like I've ages 20 years, and it does not matter how much sleep I get. So I'm "waiting" it out, but, thanks to so many of your suggestions, I will start on Omega 3 fish oil and Vit. B complexes. Any other ideas for the immense fatigue? So many people out there talk about how hard it is to get off, but very few talk about once they're  over the side effects, how long it took. i see everything from 5 days, to 5 weeks, to 3 months. And very few people talk about weaning off of Effexor while being put on another anti-depressant, such as Celexa. Is there ANY one out there who were successful at getting off (of course, I understand why you wouldn't be on this site anymore!) and HOW LONG IT TOOK, (I know it varies from person to person) I'd so appreciate feedback, esp. if you were weaned from Effexor to another anti-depressant. I really, really need my energy back, and to feel and look well-rested again!

Thanks so much in advance!

I just turned 22 and I've been on Effexor XR for 5 years. (150 mg) I've recently decided to wean myself off of the drug. It's only day 5 and the vertigo is terrible. I don't feel like I'm fit to drive but I have no other way to get to and from work. I know going cold turkey is highly advised against but honestly, I just want to get it over with. I know I'm going to suffer more than I would by weaning myself off, but even weaning off has withdrawal effects too. I'm debating doing it on the weekend and taking a few days off of work and just staying in bed the entire time. I know I'm strong enough to get through this, and there's a detox clinic I can go to if I feel the need. I have lots of people around me that know what I'm doing (including my boss) and are very supportive of me. I just want to be free of this terrible drug. 

I have only been on effexor for 6months, they wanted to put me on another drug that I had new DNA testing for, so that the drug suits my DNA with less side effects. I have decided to not be on anything, and I am now having a bad time coming off them. I go to a naturopath anyway, and we are going through detoxing, which is a great idea to see these people as they can offer some very good products to help you through. I will let you know how I go.

Hi all! I've been on Effexor for almost 4 years now with doses ranging from 75mg to 150mg. I want to come off this drug due to the weight gain. In total over the 4 years I have packed on 35kgs. After reading through forums I understand that Benadryl assists with the withdrawal symptoms. I'm located in Australia and we can no longer buy Benadryl in capsules. I was advised by the pharmacist that phenurgen is the closest drug. Has anyone attempted using this for withdrawal symptoms coming off the drug?

i have only taken one dose and i have been in the bathroom all night vomitting from both ends.. this drug is horrible and i cant wait to get it out of my system. i am not taking any more doses. there has to be a more holistic way to end the depression. I mean this cant be good for anyone