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How can I wean off capsules?

Posted , 4 users are following.

ricky1969
ricky1969

Hi

I take venlablue modified release capsules (225mg) and have been taking them now for 7 months but I wish to come off them. The capsules come in either 37.5mg, 75mg or 150mg. Therefore, its possible to go down tp 187.5mg and take it further in decrements of 37.5mg. However I have read other posts about how hard it is to come off this drug. Its not possible to cut capsules, so I wanted to know people's experiences coming off modified release tablets, and ask if going down by 37.5 for a number of weeks each time is advisable. My success with venlafaxine is mixed.

Regards,

Ricky

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • pixie22
    pixie22 ricky1969

    Posted

    I haven't tried seriously to reduce venlafaxine yet, but I do sometimes forget to take 37.5mg of my 225mg daily dose ( I take two 37.5mg venlalic xl tablets at night and one in the morning and I sometimes forget to take the morning one) without any Ill effects. So could you try dropping the dose by 37.5mg one day a week, then twice and so on? Someone who has reduced or successfully come off venlafaxine might be able to advise you further.
    • pixie22
      pixie22

      Posted

      Sorry - I've just realised I take two 75mg tablets at night, and sometimes forget the 75mg in the morning without any Ill effects! Three times 75 makes 225! So dropping 37.5mg once a week might be safe.
  • elaine92718
    elaine92718 ricky1969

    Posted

    I agree with pixie22. I'd reduce by 37.5 every time. Maybe every 4 weeks. All I know is the slower the better to help with the side effects. Best of luck 👍
  • Guest
    Guest ricky1969

    Posted

    For me, nearly all the withdrawal problems were with removing the final 37.5mg tablet but I'd been on them for 15.5 years with very good results. I took many years to reduce from 375 mg down to 0 mg, but that was because I was afraid that the depression would come back, not because of problems with withdrawal.
  • ricky1969
    ricky1969

    Posted

    Thank you pixie22, elaine92718 and jebjew for the sound advice. I believe that venlafaxine has helped a little, but I have had a number of anxiety attacks and bouts of depression, but generally I recover after 1-2 days. Before that my depressive periods were longer. The problem I have with venlafaxine is that I have never had one single day without a side effect. The worse side effect it the dry mouth/funny taste in the mouth. I get blood blisters in my mouth also. Also I have developed muscle twitching (legs/arms/torso). Sometimes it is unnoticeable, but sometimes it happens quite frequently. I was told that venlafaxine does not normally cause this, so the only thing I can think of that has caused it is meditation. I meditate to help with the depression. I was hoping that the side effects would go completely after 6-8 weeks, but alas they still plague me :-(

    Regards,

    Ricky.

  • ellebi
    ellebi ricky1969

    Posted

    I have been withdrawing from 225mg (max dose) for the past few weeks as this drug did NOTHING for my anxiety only recreated terrible side effects.

    I went from 225mg to 150mg in the first week then 150mg to 75mg for a week and then 75mg to 37.5mg for a week, am currently on my last 37.5mg today so will be free from this drug tomorrow. Its been tough going on them with the side effects and withdrawing but I couldnt continue taking them anymore.

    I have Lyrica and Xanax to help with withdraw process 

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