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Tips for tapering off Effexor and Effexor XR (venlafaxine)


Altostrata

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Thank you Alto

 

It's amazing how you help everyone here.

Started Effexor August 2012 Sept'12-150mg=extreme anxiety Oct'12 cut half-75mg severe wds

Feb 2013 68.5mg. Mar'13- 65mg. Apr'13-59mg. May'13-57mg. June '13-52mg Aug'13 49.75mg.

Sep'13-48.75. Nov'13-47mg Dec'13-45..5mg

May 2014 42mg. Jun'14 40mg (depressive mood started). Aug'14 -40mg/ started brintellix 2.5mg

Oct '14 -39 Nov'14 36.89 Dec'14 34.45

Jan 2015- 31 Feb'15 29mg. Mar'15 26.72. Apr'15 24.48. May'15 22.31mg. Jun'15 20.30mg

Aug'15-18.89. Oct'15 16.96. Nov/16- 16.10. Dec/15- 15mg

Jan 2016-14.22. May'16 11.45. Aug'16-9.60. Sep/16- 8.88mg. Oct/16- 8.39mg. Nov/16- 8.13. Dec/16- 7.89

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Ahhh....sometimes I'm stretched pretty thin!

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 2 weeks later...

I came across a study between the difference between venlafaxine generic ton brand Effexor XR. I am think of switching from immediate to xr.

 

http://www.imacynic.com/596

 

Has anyone changed from generic immediate release to effexor XR?

Started Effexor August 2012 Sept'12-150mg=extreme anxiety Oct'12 cut half-75mg severe wds

Feb 2013 68.5mg. Mar'13- 65mg. Apr'13-59mg. May'13-57mg. June '13-52mg Aug'13 49.75mg.

Sep'13-48.75. Nov'13-47mg Dec'13-45..5mg

May 2014 42mg. Jun'14 40mg (depressive mood started). Aug'14 -40mg/ started brintellix 2.5mg

Oct '14 -39 Nov'14 36.89 Dec'14 34.45

Jan 2015- 31 Feb'15 29mg. Mar'15 26.72. Apr'15 24.48. May'15 22.31mg. Jun'15 20.30mg

Aug'15-18.89. Oct'15 16.96. Nov/16- 16.10. Dec/15- 15mg

Jan 2016-14.22. May'16 11.45. Aug'16-9.60. Sep/16- 8.88mg. Oct/16- 8.39mg. Nov/16- 8.13. Dec/16- 7.89

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Some people are sensitive to differences between brands. However, Lexy, if you've been taking generic Effexor for a long time, it's unlikely that's the source of your symptoms.

 

Please answer my questions in your Intro topic so we can get to the bottom of this.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 2 weeks later...

Does anyone use their leftover beads and put them in generic gelatin capsules? I won't be doing it yet but I am keeping those leftover beads for when I'm at the end of my taper and I was thinking that I might be able to weigh them and make up my own 20/15/10 mg doses. I have seen a reference to others doing this before, I believe possibly on this site but I can't find it now. Is this safe to do?

Slowly coming off 150 mg venlafaxine a day after nine years on it. Removing a small amount of beads from a capsule each month. Then I stabilise and remove another small amount. Not as precise as the 10% method but so far so good.  Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

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Yes, you can do that. In the meantime, keep them in a clean medicine bottle marked with the expiration date, dosage, and manufacturer.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Taking 75mg XR, 1 cap/day... Attempting to titrate down by 5 beads every two weeks. Does this seem gradual enough? Thanks in advance...

Are you also struggling with the whole 10% thing too? I started my taper by just taking one bead out a day from 150 mg capsules. I'm now on 62 beads a day so I have no idea what 10% is now but I'm beginning to think that may be too much. I think i'll just try what you've said. 5 beads every two to three weeks and see how I go. I wouldn't know where to start with the 10% thing now.

Slowly coming off 150 mg venlafaxine a day after nine years on it. Removing a small amount of beads from a capsule each month. Then I stabilise and remove another small amount. Not as precise as the 10% method but so far so good.  Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

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Harmonica, reducing one bead a day is too fast. 10% of 62 beads is about 6 beads -- per month. A reduction of 1 bead per week is about a 6% reduction per month (4 beads per month).

 

That's how gradual a gradual taper is.

 

RhoSee, the number of beads in a capsule varies from dosage to dosage and manufacturer to manufacturer. You need to count the number of beads in several capsules to get an estimate of how many beads there are in a capsule, on average.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Harmonica, reducing one bead a day is too fast.

 

Yes, I think you're right. I feel rather fortunate that I have not suffered any real withdrawal thus far. When I say that I'm on 62 beads now what I mean is that is the amount I am taking out from a 150 mg capsule. I have no idea how many beads are in one of those capsules but after removing 62 beads the capsule looks to be about two thirds full. I wouldn't know how to calculate 10% from a capsule that is two thirds full. I may have to do a full bead count. Either way I will slow it right down.

Slowly coming off 150 mg venlafaxine a day after nine years on it. Removing a small amount of beads from a capsule each month. Then I stabilise and remove another small amount. Not as precise as the 10% method but so far so good.  Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

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Alto, for the last 2 years of tapering, i've been doing this.  I noticed that all my 75mg pills range from 240-272 pellets.  So I took a few pills, counted the amounts for each, then took an average which was 242.  I then made sure each pill had 253 pellets, then took out my percentage of taper, then took them.  I think this is why I was never feeling right from time to time during those 2 years of tapering, and now ended up like this. I had swings in dosages of almost 30 pellets!  Am I right in this?

On Venlafaxine XR 75mg > 20 years, because a general MD decided to try these new "calming pills" taken from his sample closet because my pulse was a little high since I get nervous going to the doctor.

 

June 2010 - Cold turkey

September 2010 - Sudden onset of EXTREME anxiety, constant terror and fear that got marginally better at night.  I had no idea what or why this was; had no idea it was the quitting of Effexor. 

December 2010 - reinstated 75mgs Effexor XR, felt no better months later

January 2011 - Began 5% taper every month

2012 - Anxiety began improving by had many windows and waves

January 2014 - Fell back into sudden onset of same anxiety, fear as in 2010; realized I was tapering too quickly.  I was not allowing withdrawal effects to dissipate before another taper.  Began 2% taper every 6 to 8 months

2016 - Fear, anxiety began to wane

2017, 18 & 19 - Constant Fear & anxiety stopped, just occasional minor bouts that lasted 3 days or so

December 2020 - Now at ~31mgs Effexor XR, 5mgs Crestor 

November 2022 - Added 6% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride topical. Used for a year. Got systemic side effects. Quit 11/19/2023. Also intermittently used 10 to 20mgs propanolol for adrenaline surges/pvcs. Stopped them also on 11/19/2023.

 
 
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It could be.

 

Many people taper Effexor XR by removing a certain number of beads from each daily dose, then taking the remainder. This causes a little variation in dosage, but it seems to work for most.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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It could be.

 

Many people taper Effexor XR by removing a certain number of beads from each daily dose, then taking the remainder. This causes a little variation in dosage, but it seems to work for most.

It must be, 30 pellets are a lot no? a 5% drop per month usually was around 4 or 5 pellets.  Add to that another 15-30 more, must be destabilizing.

On Venlafaxine XR 75mg > 20 years, because a general MD decided to try these new "calming pills" taken from his sample closet because my pulse was a little high since I get nervous going to the doctor.

 

June 2010 - Cold turkey

September 2010 - Sudden onset of EXTREME anxiety, constant terror and fear that got marginally better at night.  I had no idea what or why this was; had no idea it was the quitting of Effexor. 

December 2010 - reinstated 75mgs Effexor XR, felt no better months later

January 2011 - Began 5% taper every month

2012 - Anxiety began improving by had many windows and waves

January 2014 - Fell back into sudden onset of same anxiety, fear as in 2010; realized I was tapering too quickly.  I was not allowing withdrawal effects to dissipate before another taper.  Began 2% taper every 6 to 8 months

2016 - Fear, anxiety began to wane

2017, 18 & 19 - Constant Fear & anxiety stopped, just occasional minor bouts that lasted 3 days or so

December 2020 - Now at ~31mgs Effexor XR, 5mgs Crestor 

November 2022 - Added 6% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride topical. Used for a year. Got systemic side effects. Quit 11/19/2023. Also intermittently used 10 to 20mgs propanolol for adrenaline surges/pvcs. Stopped them also on 11/19/2023.

 
 
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You may be very sensitive to dosage changes.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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It it better to count the beads or weigh them?

 

I took out the beads from two capsules and ea varied in amount of beads. One had 124 the other 145 beads. I also weighed the beads and were .124 and .126.

 

Which method is more precise?

 

I've heard other people say the count IN instead of counting OUT the beads?

If you count IN wouldn't it be difficult to ascertain what percentage you are taking since ea capsule has a variance in count? By counting OUT beads from a 37.5mg I would start by taking out one bead, then two, then three, etc every week.

 

I just got Effexor Xr and would like to slowly switch from immediate release to brand name.

Started Effexor August 2012 Sept'12-150mg=extreme anxiety Oct'12 cut half-75mg severe wds

Feb 2013 68.5mg. Mar'13- 65mg. Apr'13-59mg. May'13-57mg. June '13-52mg Aug'13 49.75mg.

Sep'13-48.75. Nov'13-47mg Dec'13-45..5mg

May 2014 42mg. Jun'14 40mg (depressive mood started). Aug'14 -40mg/ started brintellix 2.5mg

Oct '14 -39 Nov'14 36.89 Dec'14 34.45

Jan 2015- 31 Feb'15 29mg. Mar'15 26.72. Apr'15 24.48. May'15 22.31mg. Jun'15 20.30mg

Aug'15-18.89. Oct'15 16.96. Nov/16- 16.10. Dec/15- 15mg

Jan 2016-14.22. May'16 11.45. Aug'16-9.60. Sep/16- 8.88mg. Oct/16- 8.39mg. Nov/16- 8.13. Dec/16- 7.89

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This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 1 month later...
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Lexy, please read the first post in this topic.

With Effexor XR, your only choice is to count beads. This can be an imprecise measurement that becomes a problem at very low dosages.

With regular Effexor, you can cut tablets up, make a homemade liquid, or have a pharmacy make a compounded liquid for greater precision.

You may recall I urged you not to switch to Effexor XR because tapering regular Effexor is easier in some ways.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Yes 

I realize that the immediate effexor is easier to taper off from since you can convert it to liquid.  

Is it easier on the withdrawals too?  

I assumed because of the shorter half life on the immediate it would be even more difficult than the XR.

Started Effexor August 2012 Sept'12-150mg=extreme anxiety Oct'12 cut half-75mg severe wds

Feb 2013 68.5mg. Mar'13- 65mg. Apr'13-59mg. May'13-57mg. June '13-52mg Aug'13 49.75mg.

Sep'13-48.75. Nov'13-47mg Dec'13-45..5mg

May 2014 42mg. Jun'14 40mg (depressive mood started). Aug'14 -40mg/ started brintellix 2.5mg

Oct '14 -39 Nov'14 36.89 Dec'14 34.45

Jan 2015- 31 Feb'15 29mg. Mar'15 26.72. Apr'15 24.48. May'15 22.31mg. Jun'15 20.30mg

Aug'15-18.89. Oct'15 16.96. Nov/16- 16.10. Dec/15- 15mg

Jan 2016-14.22. May'16 11.45. Aug'16-9.60. Sep/16- 8.88mg. Oct/16- 8.39mg. Nov/16- 8.13. Dec/16- 7.89

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One is not easier than the other, in terms of withdrawal symptoms. Liquid Effexor (from ordinary Effexor) is easier in that you can control the dosage better. If you are counting beads to taper, the smallest decrement is one bead, which may get more and more difficult as the dosage gets lower.

 

This is why one tapering option is to switch to regular Effexor late in a taper off Effexor XR.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Lexy, I think I explained this to you before.

 

Sometimes when people have been taking the brand name for a long time, they can tell the difference if they switch to the generic. Some people can feel the difference if they switch from one generic brand to another.

 

In those cases, whatever symptoms the people had were due to manufacturing differences, not necessarily strength.

 

In your case, your initial problems had nothing to do with a brand change. You were taking the same brand all along. Now, you've made so many changes, it's impossible to tell if brand differences have any effect on you at all.

 

Since you seem to be convinced there's something fishy about your generic Effexor, why don't you take your entire dose in brand-name Effexor? At least then, you'll stop worrying about the differences between brand name and generic -- which never applied to you anyway.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 2 weeks later...

I was tld that splitting the dose taken half in the morning and half at night would be easier on the side effects. Is this true?

Started Effexor August 2012 Sept'12-150mg=extreme anxiety Oct'12 cut half-75mg severe wds

Feb 2013 68.5mg. Mar'13- 65mg. Apr'13-59mg. May'13-57mg. June '13-52mg Aug'13 49.75mg.

Sep'13-48.75. Nov'13-47mg Dec'13-45..5mg

May 2014 42mg. Jun'14 40mg (depressive mood started). Aug'14 -40mg/ started brintellix 2.5mg

Oct '14 -39 Nov'14 36.89 Dec'14 34.45

Jan 2015- 31 Feb'15 29mg. Mar'15 26.72. Apr'15 24.48. May'15 22.31mg. Jun'15 20.30mg

Aug'15-18.89. Oct'15 16.96. Nov/16- 16.10. Dec/15- 15mg

Jan 2016-14.22. May'16 11.45. Aug'16-9.60. Sep/16- 8.88mg. Oct/16- 8.39mg. Nov/16- 8.13. Dec/16- 7.89

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Lexy if you are taking effexor XR (slow release)  you should be fine with once a day.

I take mine at the same time every day and get on ok with that. If I am late  I get a funny head

that reminds me but no real withdrawal. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Hello... I have been tapering for months now...after having it out with my doctor..who has no idea how to get off this ..I have followed this thread..I was on 75 mg...I taper 10 beads a week always a change on Wednesday am..I am currently taking 110 beads out with no withdrawals , thank god..since I am getting down to the nitty gritty, if withdrawals get bad I may go every 2 but as of now everything good..I have found that I am now starting to sleep pretty good as compared on full dose up all hours...can't wait to be off this fully...thanks for the help on this thread!

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You're welcome. Please note that, the lower you go, you'll need to taper by fewer beads.

We recommend a 10% taper per MONTH based on the LAST dosage. At this point, you may wish to slow down your taper -- taper by fewer beads every few weeks rather than every week. You do NOT want to trigger withdrawal symptoms!

See Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 1 month later...

Hi, I have got down to 37.5mg XR tablets.  I went to my GP and asked for the capsules so I could weigh 10% reduction.  He said try the non release tablets first and cut them up.  I cut them in half and took half in the morning and half about 3pm.  I felt terrible, I couldn;t cope, felt horrendous.  I went back and asked again for the capsules.  He wrote out a prescription and I went off to the chemist to get them.  When I picked them up they were capsules with 3 mini pills inside.  I didn't want these as I wanted the capsules with the little balls inside so I could weigh them out.  I ended up having a argument at the chemist who said that is all they can get.  I went back to my doctor and he said well if that is what the chemist said that is that.  I told him that the capsules are available in 37.5mg with the small balls and he said to prescribe them he needs to know the correct name to tell the chemist.  I am confused because I thought the name was just venlafaxine 37.5mg capsules.  If I keep telling him this I will end up with the 3 mini pill ones.  I have purchased my scales the Gemini ones and when I feel strong enough I would like to try the capsules.

 

Has anyone any idea what he is talking about, I feel like I am going around in circles.  He asks for the correct name, I tell him and he says that's obviously not it.  Think I am going mad...

 

Any help please.

Poppy

2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit.  Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine.  2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg

2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine.  2014 75mg venlafaxine.  2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks.  Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably.  Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much.  Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine.  8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime.  No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March.  26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again.  Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well.  Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now.  Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal.

 

 

 

 

 

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Effexor XR 37.5 (name brand) contains the tiny beads.

 

Some of the generics contain the larger tablets inside a capsule. Other generics contain beads, but I don't know what these are called or even if they're available in the UK. You'd have to talk to a pharmacist to find out which ones contain the beads.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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That's the problem I was having.  The pharmacist said he doesn't know what I am talking about.  He said the suppliers who supply the medication only have the mini pill ones.  I feel I had to find out myself, but don't know where to start.  He got quite huffy and said talk to the gp and the gp said talk to the chemist.  I am afraid that it will work out that I can't get the 37.5mg capsule and I was pinning my hopes of trying to get off this way.

 

Do you know if I can insist on having the EFFEXOR XR brand 37.5 capsules.  This is all hell.  I feel that I am trying to help myself but am going around and around.

 

Poppy

2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit.  Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine.  2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg

2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine.  2014 75mg venlafaxine.  2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks.  Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably.  Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much.  Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine.  8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime.  No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March.  26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again.  Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well.  Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now.  Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal.

 

 

 

 

 

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You could ask you chemist to check the brain name and see if it is the tablets we know it isn't ...from there ...after he sees the beads tell him that is what you need in order to do a taper off the drug... 

I tried to find a  link for you about generic effexor complaints to help you in convincing him to give you brand name... 

I don't think he should have any issue giving you the brand name however you will have to pay for it... that was my experience after having issues with the generic I could get it but insurance would only cover generic so I had to pay out of pocket for it.  

peace

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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I am in the UK and have Rodomel brand. Even better is the liquid.

Liquid is available here and much easier to taper. Ask your doctor to prescribe it 

because the pharmacy will not/cannot supply the capsules with beads. I would do that

because it is so much easier. Those beads are pesky little blighters that jump around

when you are counting them!  I had to insist on the liquid from my doctor but sadly had

an allergic reaction to one of the other ingredients and had to carry on with counting beads. 

 

Alternatively try another chemist, they seem to have different suppliers. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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mammaP, do you have to take the liquid more than once a day to substitute for the extended-release drug?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Yes Alto, mine was 2x daily. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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I have been trying to find a capsule here in the UK of Venlafaxine that my GP will prescribe.  My question is if I can only get the capsule in 75mg (I am on 37.5mg) can I taper from this.

 

Kind regards

2012 - about 7 various antidepressants, didn't suit.  Dec 2012 - 225mg venlafaxine.  2013 dropped to 150mg stayed for a year at this mg

2014 - 112.5mg venlafaxine.  2014 75mg venlafaxine.  2015 37.5mg venlafaxine for couple of weeks.  Back up to 75mg as agitated, and sobbing uncontrolably.  Back down to 37.5mg as 75mg too much.  Summer 2015 started cutting down by 2? every 2 weeks and added 50mg clomipramine as advised by gp to brdige venlafaxine.  8th Feb 2016 was down to 1.42 on scales then got panics on waking and crying and panics and overbreathing at lunchtime.  No cuts since then until now but on 17th March lost voice and terrible cough which still have on 30th March.  26th March upped to 1.44 for 4 days then back to 1.42 as felt down hard work with all the panicking and didn't want to go through that again.  Have had 17 CUTS of 2 % since summer 2015. Still on 50mg clomipramine as well.  Got down to about half of a 37.5mg capsule and just stopped, not sure if this was the amount as it is over 3 years ago now.  Obviously not the thing to do as have had no meds at all now for over 3 years and still feeling terrific protracted withdrawal.

 

 

 

 

 

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Hi,

 

Yes you can do this, however since it is in a capsule form and I presume with these capsules at least in my own experience have several beads in them. Many people will taper by reducing the dosage of 75mg by eliminating beads. Since you are on 37.5mg you will have to count the beads in one capsule and then take half of them to equal your 37.5mg dose.. you can't just halve it. It must be counted (the beads) to get the correct dose...I am not aware of Venaflaxine coming in a 37.5mg dose...Once you have counted the beads and have your 37.5mg dose, you can then start eliminating beads one by one..to where you are comfortable with and then decrease in that manner at a pace you are comfortable with and with how you respond to changes.

 

There may be other posts on this subject and you may be able to view other's experience with this drug within this site..If you have never tapered before I would become comfortable with reading the possible symtoms you may endure as well as look at the various forums to educate yourself on self- care during this process and also go to www.BeyondMeds.com for more information regarding withdrawal...Wish you well on your journey to become drug free....

 

I hope this helps....

med exp since 1985- abilify, latuda, Seroquel, risperadol, zyprexa, Haldol. latuda, saphris, mellaril, thorazine, lithium, tegretol, Depakote, lamictal, Prozac, pamelor, wellbutrin, Ativan, klonipin, etc.

 currently only on remeron: 3/13/14-6/5/14- 15mg

6/20/14 -9.5mg < 0.75-1.5 per week

7/12/14-3.75mg

8/11/14- 0.6mg of Remeron (almost off)

8/16/14--last dose of remeron...now completely drug free....

11/21/14-- 95 DAYS DRUG FREE!!!!

 

I do not give out medical advice only personal experience.

dx: BPI, II, CKD, secondary hyperparathyroidism, Chronic pain, fibro,

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I have been tapering vanlafaxine by counting beads from the capsule. Alternatively it is available in the UK as a liquid

which is much easier to taper. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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poppy, the best way to go from a 37.5mg tablet to taking 37.5mg from a 75mg capsule would be to open up the 75mg capsule and weigh half the beads out -- that would be 37.5mg.

 

Otherwise, you would have to count half the beads out of every capsule. To do this, you'll have to count the beads in several 75mg capsules and figure out how many, on average, account for half.

 

That is, if you can get 75mg venlafaxine capsules filled with tiny beads. Many of the generics available in the UK seem to be filled with 3 large pellets. That will make taking 37.5mg very difficult.

 

The most accurate way to taper venlafaxine is with a liquid made from immediate-release venlafaxine, but you may have to take it 2 or 3 times a day.

 

Please read this topic from the beginning.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Hi Abilify,

Thanks for replying.  I have been withdrawing and was taking 225mg originally and it has taken me about two years to get to this.

I will look up Beyond Meds, thanks.

 

Kind regards,

Poppy

What Alto says above is good advice...ongoing support too at the link she posted for specific needs and questions  and then this little nugget covers a lot... 

about withdrawal 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/#entry5750

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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