Effexor and Effexor XR are the brand names of the antidepressant pill called Venlafaksine in the United States that is used to treat millions of people. Effexor is prescribed by doctors to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders. Because Effexor is a prescription drug, its consumption must follow the doctor's advice. This includes the time that you and your doctor decide to stop taking the drug. By reducing your dose and relieving your withdrawal symptoms, you can stop using Effexor.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Reducing the Dose
Step 1. Visit a doctor
Whatever the reason, you should always consult your doctor first if you think you should stop taking Effexor. Even if you are feeling somewhat well, and even have to stop taking the pill due to pregnancy or other conditions, stopping Effexor suddenly can cause serious problems. Your doctor can help you make the right decision about alternative treatments or stop taking Effexor completely.
- Avoid stopping or reducing Effexor until you get a doctor's advice. Continue to follow the doctor's instructions when he prescribes medication.
- Tell your doctor why you stopped taking Effexor. Make sure you tell the truthful reasons so that your doctor can choose the best treatment for you. Maybe you have several reasons to stop taking Effexor, ranging from pregnancy or breastfeeding, to other drug interactions.
- Make sure you follow the doctor's recommendations. Ask questions you have, including the benefits and risks of discontinuing the drug. You can always seek a second medical opinion if needed.
Step 2. Give yourself time
No matter how long you use Effexor, give yourself time to stop using the drug. While it may be tempting to stop taking your medication completely, this can create difficult and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that can make your condition worse. Depending on the dose, you will need to allow between 1 week to several months to stop taking Effexor.
Step 3. Plan your consumption reduction
The dose of Effexor needs to be lowered slowly. There is no shortcut to reducing the dose of the drug other than consulting a doctor so he can determine the treatment that suits your body and yourself. This means that how much you reduce your dose and the interval you take will vary depending on factors such as how you feel and withdrawal symptoms. Consult a doctor to determine the best method.
- Reduce consumption of Effexor for 1-2 weeks if the drug is only used for less than 8 weeks. If you have been on medication for 6-8 months, wait at least a week between dose reductions. For people being treated with Effexor, reduce the dose more gradually. For example, do not reduce your dose by more than every hour for up to 6 weeks
- Write your plans down on a piece of paper or a notebook where you can write down various other things, such as your mood or problems. For example, you might write a plan that says, “Starting dose: 300 mg; First reduction: 225 mg; Second reduction: 150 mg; Third reduction: 75 mg; Fourth reduction: 37.5 mg.”
Step 4. Divide the medicinal pills
After consulting with your doctor and writing a plan, you need to make sure that the dosage is according to your plan. Ask your doctor for a prescription for specially designed pills, ask the pharmacy staff to split the pills, or even try to do it yourself using a commercial pill divider.
- If you are on treatment with Effexor XR, we recommend switching to regular Effexor. This is because XR is an extended-release pill, and splitting it in half will affect the mechanism of drug release. This means that the user is at risk of an overdose because too many drugs are released at the same time.
- Get a pill divider from your local pharmacy or medical supply store. Check with your pharmacist or staff for a product that suits your needs.
Step 5. Monitor yourself
When reducing Effexor, it is important to monitor your mood and physical symptoms. You should even do a weekly assessment of your mood. This step will alert you to problems that could arise or whether the dose reduction needs to be reduced more gradually.
- Keep a diary each week as part of your plan. Record the dose and how you feel. If you feel well and have few withdrawal symptoms, you should continue to reduce your dose according to this schedule. Remember, don't rush your plans to prevent the chance of withdrawal symptoms from developing.
- Consider keeping a “mood calendar”. You can rate your mood level on a scale of 1-10 each day to identify problems or recognize patterns of symptoms with reduced doses.
Step 6. Stop reducing the dose if necessary
If your symptoms get worse or you have severe withdrawal, you should stop reducing the dose. You can always return half or the entire dose until you feel somewhat better again. At that point, you can continue to reduce the dose at a smaller rate.
Step 7. Keep in contact with the doctor
Throughout the process of reducing your Effexor dose, it is important to keep your doctor informed of your progress. Tell your doctor if you have any difficulties or are experiencing withdrawal. The doctor can suggest a new plan or alternative treatment to overcome the difficulties experienced during reducing the dose of the drug.
If you have trouble stopping Effexor, your doctor may replace it with fluoxetine. Then, you can reduce fluoxetine without experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Part 2 of 2: Relieves Withdrawal Symptoms
Step 1. Recognize withdrawal symptoms
Venlafaxine is one of the main causes of withdrawal symptoms in patients who stop using Effexor. Dose reduction symptoms may or may not occur, but it is important to recognize the common symptoms of Effexor withdrawal. Ask your doctor about ways to reduce the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Dizzy
- Tired
- Headache
- Dream conscious
- Insomnia/can't sleep
- Nausea
- Agitation
- Shivering
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Tremor
- Feeling uneasy or foreboding
- Muscle ache
- Stomach problems
- Flu-like symptoms
- Depression
- Suicidal tendencies
Step 2. Get help right away
If you continue to be depressed or have suicidal tendencies when you stop taking Effexor, contact your doctor or hospital as soon as possible. Your doctor can help relieve your symptoms and prevent you from hurting yourself.
Step 3. Find support
When you stop using Effexor, you need as much support as possible. This will help you ward off withdrawal symptoms and other possible side effects.
- Keep your doctor up to date so he or she knows your latest progress. In fact, you may want to see a psychiatrist or psychologist as an alternative therapy to help you when you stop taking Effexor. This step can minimize symptoms and may even help find other, more effective methods.
- Tell friends and family that you have stopped using Effexor and will experience withdrawal symptoms. Let them know how they can help you.
- Take time off work, if needed. Be honest with your boss about your condition. If you don't stop working, ask your boss for ways to contribute when you experience withdrawal or relapse symptoms.
Step 4. Stay active
Exercise helps produce serotonin which has a strong antidepressant effect. If you stop taking Effexor, you may be able to compensate with regular exercise. It also helps control withdrawal symptoms and keeps you in a good mood.
Aim for a total of 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, or about 30 minutes for five days each week. Exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling can improve your mood. Try yoga or pilates, which will not only increase your total workout time, but also improve mood and relaxation
Step 5. Eat nutritious food
You can increase the impact of exercise by eating a healthy diet. Eat a regular healthy diet consisting of five food groups, which helps keep your blood sugar at a stable level and prevents you from feeling nauseous or having an upset stomach.
- Eat foods from the five food groups. Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy products. Try vegetables to fill at least half the plate for each meal menu.
- Consider eating plenty of magnesium-rich foods to control anxiety. Some examples of magnesium-rich foods include: almonds, avocados, spinach, soybeans, black beans, salmon, halibut, oysters, peanuts, quinoa, and brown rice.
Step 6. Manage stress
If you are experiencing deep stress, it is important to control it as best you can. Stress can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and even cause anxiety.
- Stay away from stressful situations whenever possible. If you can't, try taking deep breaths during stressful situations, and occasionally excuse yourself with "going to the toilet" or "calling someone" excuses. Even a little rest can help reduce stress.
- Get regular relaxing massages to calm yourself down.
Step 7. Rest as much as possible
You may experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Effexor. Part of keeping yourself healthy and reducing stress is getting enough rest. This includes having a regular sleep schedule and allowing yourself enough rest to feel better.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. You must sleep at least 7 hours every night. Maintain this schedule at the end of the week to help reduce symptoms.
- Nap for 20-30 minutes as needed to help freshen up and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Warning
- Do not stop taking Effexor alone. Consult with your doctor before making any changes to the dosage of your medication. Do not take other drugs while on Effexor treatment before consulting your doctor.
- Continue to take Effexor even if you feel better. If you stop, your body may return to feeling unwell.
