Any advice on successful reduction of Venlafaxine?
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi!
I have just joined because I am experiencing some awful withdrawal symptoms from Venlafaxine. I have attempted to come off the drug once, 9 years ago. I managed 3 weeks, then crashed into a severe depression. I went back to the doctor who told me I should immediately restart the drug. I did do a gradual reduction, which I am doing this time. I am at the moment I am prescribed 3 75 mg tablets per day. So, I have decided to do 3 one day and 2 the next for a few weeks,..
Has anyone else successfully done this? Any help gratefully received!
Thanks! Rachel.
2 likes, 7 replies
geraldine49407
Posted
Be_Mindful
Posted
MissyJo
Posted
It's not the best idea to take different amounts on different days. The brain sees it as not enough one day and too much the next day. It can't cope like this as it needs continuity to regulate effectively. Pls don't listen to the doctors who tell you to reduce a little bit 2 or 3 days in the week. They have never taken Venlafaxine so they don't really know. They want to help but how can they possibly know about all the drugs on the market?
I have been on Venlafaxine for about 6 yrs and have also tried in the past (unsuccessfully) to come off. This time round I've been able to taper down and the only withdrawal I've had is night sweats. I did LOtS ofresearch in figuring out how to do it.
-Most important thing is that each time you reduce it should only be by 10% of your dosage. For me that meant reducing by 37.5mg per day. That's the smallest dose Venlafaxine comes in anyway so it's a good amount for the first taper.
- stay on your reduced amount for 3 weeks before reducing by another 37.5mg and continue like so.
MissyJo
Posted
Look up
THE ROAD BACK DOT ORG
Obviously you need to put a . And not type dot but this site is funny about sharing websites so I've had to type it.
Good luck
elaine0117
Posted
Now nearly a week after my last dose I am still a bit dizzy and nauseous but I'm managing to work and get on with things. My main problem now is that I'm crying over the slightest things, facebook manages to have me in tears most days and any emotional story I hear sets me off !!!! The GP did say that this may happen as my system clears itself of the drug and not to see it as a sign of the depression returning so I'm trying to remain positive . Should it turn out I do need to take anti depressants I am going to insist on a different one, this is just so hard to stop.
Good lunch raychi6
dianne22455
Posted
Hope this helps.
Definitely know what it feels like to want to be free of this drug.
MissyJo
Posted
they've helped me every step of the way off Venlafaxine (450mg per day for 8yrs!!)
I'm only a third of the way there but no withdrawal thus far (apart from night sweats but that's nothing in comparison to the hell I've experienced trying to come off previously.
I have hope for the first time ever