Posted by michael on March 23, 2000, at 9:57:57
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal, posted by Cam W. on March 22, 2000, at 21:03:00
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> Noa & Susan - Everyone is different with regard to withdrawing from Effexor. A rule of thumb that I have seen used is to decrease the dose in increments weekly until the withdrawl symptoms start (if they do) and then bump the dose up by half a tablet per day. Stay at this level for a week and then try to take away the half tablet. If possible, then take the Effexor for a week at this lowered dose and then try to decrease by half a tablet per day and see if the symptoms return. If not, carry on for a week. If so, re-add the half tablet and stay at that dose for another week. Repeat this until you are off of the drug. I know this is a laborious task and takes a long time, but it is the best way that I know of to wean from Effexor with the least discomfort. Not everyone will need to wean this slowly; only those who seem to be susceptible to the withdrawl symptoms. Ask your doctor about this approach before doing it by yourself. Hope this helps - Cam W.
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> P.S. If this doesn't work there are other ways to stop using other drugs (eg like adding low dose Prozac (10mg) near the end of weaning for 2 weeks, stopping the Effexor at the end of the first week of this treatment) - Cam W.
I had mentioned recently that I went from 225mg/day to 0 in about a week w/o any side effects...Cam's note just made me realize that I should add that I was also taking wellbutrin at the time (150mg/day) and also starting/"tapering up" prozac at the same time I was "tapering off" effexor. (I think it was a couple days at 10mg prozac, and then 20mg/day). That may have played a role in my lack of withdrawl symptoms...?
michael
poster:michael
thread:27871
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/27931.html