Tapering venlafaxine.

Hi. I'm in process of upping mine and it's taken 5 weeks of hell to settle and from what I'm told reducing dose needs to be done very very slowly so might be best to reduce by 37.5mg first.

Good luck.

Hi Michael

I have been on ven slow release tablets 150mg for just over 2 years. Earlier this month, with the doc's consent, I reduced to 75mg capsules. Need to be on these for 8 weeks after which time he will show me how to taper off completely

The only reaction i noticed was after 17 days when I felt a bit down and achy. I just told myself to ignore it and that I was not going back to how I was before starting medication for bad anxiety. It only lasted for part of the day as I was determined not to start worrying and doubting. It is your mind that has to be in control.

Bless you and take care.

Yes, big time. I became very ill after about 4 days. Thankfully I recovered once back on 150mg. I open the capsules and remove one pellet every few weeks. It's working so far. I was on 225mg I'm down to 162.5mg. I started to reduce in October. So far so good.

Hi michael37584. I have been on Effexor/Venlafaxine for over 10 years and have been unsuccessful in my attempts to withdraw until recently. Since the 15th November 2016 I have reduced from 187.5 to 37.5 and hope to have reduced fully by the end of this month. I am sleeping better, have a better appetite and feel really optimistic. I have been taking a high doseage of Omega 3 (3000) daily, 2 Vit B12 and 2 Benadryl (used for hay fever allergies etc). My blood pressure has stablised and the zapping and mild headaches have gone. Its still early days for me as it can take up to 6 months to leave the system but it has been found, that some people cannot withdraw from Venlafaxine completely and they have to remain on it permanently. The research suggests that you reduce by 37.5 each week, but we are all different. How long have you been on 75mgs for? Keep talking and keep asking questions. Good luck.