Posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2000, at 6:56:04
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by Larry on September 6, 2000, at 19:15:33
Larry - The main problem with Effexor™ (venlafaxine) is when you stop the drug. This must be done very slowly. It can be stopped easily over a 4 week period by most people, but some have a problem with that last, small dose. There are ways to ease this. The most successful that I have seen is using Prozac™ (fluoxetine) 10mg daily on the final low Effexor dose for 2 weeks and stopping the Effexor after the first week.
The popular press has picked up the withdrawl symptom issue (eg 20/20) and has ran with it, sensationalizing it more than need be. Although a very uncomfortable experience for some people, with proper management and compliance, stopping Effexor can be done fairly easily (for a vast majority of people).
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:44418
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000905/msgs/44427.html