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Bridging from venlafaxine

Posted , 3 users are following.

carl67287
carl67287

Has anyone done a bridging change from venlafaxine to fluoxetine? 

Curious as I’ve been advised that it might help with the way I’m feeling.

Anxious depressed no motivation no appetite completely wrecked.

I used to be on 20mg fluoxetine 

Been on venlafaxine 75mg for 4 weeks 

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • UKSteve
    UKSteve carl67287

    Posted

    Yes and with 100% success.

    It picks up the slack from the Venlafaxine and then tapers you down slowly and gently in its own without you having to do anything.

    • carl67287
      carl67287 UKSteve

      Posted

      What mg etc were you on and did you use to start 
    • UKSteve
      UKSteve carl67287

      Posted

      Venlafaxine I was up to 150mg/day

      reduced to 75mg over 2 weeks

      at 75mg for at least 1 week then you can do the bridge.

      Stopped Ven and started Fluox at 10mg (1/2 capsule in fruit juice but you could start at full 20mg cap. )the next day (24 hrs after last Ven dose )

      then the next day 20mg Fluoxetine

      (Had about 2 days of mild brain zaps, nothing too bad)

      then stayed on fluox for 2 weeks at 20mg/day

      Then reduced, every other day..1 week

      Every 3 days..1 week

      then 1 cap a week for

      Then stopped.

      No withdrawals

    • carl67287
      carl67287 UKSteve

      Posted

      How long ago was this and how are you now ? Still drug free ?
  • Stacey29819
    Stacey29819 carl67287

    Posted

    I was on venlafaxine for over 20 years.  I stopped it in July because depression was worse, and am now in week 8 of Prozac.  The anxiety side effect has been really bad for me.  Those sound like normal side effects.  It takes so long to work.
    • carl67287
      carl67287 Stacey29819

      Posted

      How many mg were you on and Yeah feel so bad ... like it’s not even helping I know it’s only week 4 but I just want it to get better 
    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 carl67287

      Posted

      On Venlafaxine I took 75 up to 600 at one point, then stabilized at 150 for many years.  On Prozac, I’m on 40mg.

      I would give it a good 12 weeks, not sure on dosage you are at.

    • carl67287
      carl67287 Stacey29819

      Posted

      I’m on 75mg of venlafaxine how long did it take you to come off 600 that’s huge 
    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 carl67287

      Posted

      I think I slowly went down and stayed at 150 for a very long time.  75 is on the low side, I needed more.  
    • carl67287
      carl67287 Stacey29819

      Posted

      Was yours depression or anxiety? When I was on fluoxetine I was on 20mg but probably should have been more 
    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 carl67287

      Posted

      The Effexor (Venlafaxine) was for anxiety, I was diagnosed with panic disorder.  This time the Prozac (Fluoxetine) is for depression.  I wasn’t having bad anxiety this time until I started back on antidepressants.  Now I have bad anxiety also, so I know for sure it is a side effect.  It’s unfortunate it has to cause such bad side effects before starting to work.
    • carl67287
      carl67287 Stacey29819

      Posted

      I found I was still quite anxious on it for the years I was on it how was venlafaxine for you ?
    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 carl67287

      Posted

      I did really well on it for probably about 15 years.  I did have some anxiety, but it was more manageable.  The last few years, I’ve been having depression rather than anxiety.
    • Stacey29819
      Stacey29819 carl67287

      Posted

      At least 8 weeks, if you went straight from prozac to it, it shouldn’t take as long.  
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