Hi Casey,

Hopefully you are under the care of your doctor. No online resource can be a replacement for your doctor's advice and care. Hopefully you are working with your doctor to come off of Effexor. You can read about Effexor here in the drugs database. Effexor is a medication that is not safe to discontinue unless you are under the care of a physician. According to the drugs database:

"It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., nausea, vomiting, headache, numbness, tingling, nightmares) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug. To prevent withdrawal when stopping extended/regular treatment with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

The side effects are listed here.

There are also some discussions between members here who discontinued using Effexor. You can read about member number 4363's experiences and the answers here. Cpate had a tough time with withdrawal as well. You can read Cpate's experience and the comments here. Heidi47 also had a lengthy experience with Effexor. You can read her comments here.

I hope this helps. Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!

Vicki M

Casey,

I have been on and off Effexor for a few years. I taper down in the spring and start again in the fall. I have tried other anti-depressants but the Effexor seems to work the best for my seasonal depression. I am lucky to have only had minor withdrawal symptoms - slight headache, some of the "brain shiver" that others have described, and feeling a bit more tired. I have found that more exercise helps, which I am usually increasing in the summer anyway. Definitely follow your provider's instructions and contact him or her if you feel like you are withdrawing too quickly. Be careful of reading too many "withdrawal is hell" posts on the internet. I am sure the posters are being accurate, but that may not be your experience, and it is probably not a representative sample. (People generally don't post to report that all is well). I also try to remember that some of the symptoms may be from the depression that I am treating in the first place. Side effects from the Effexor and the withdrawal from it are annoying at times, but for me, the depression is hell. I will take the side effects over the depression any day.

I think if is different for everyone.  I was taking 375 mg of effexor and am now on 150 mg...I reduced this overnight and I would not recommend doing his.  You may expect headaches, brain zaps and extreme fatigue.  However I was unable to focus on my job and needed to lower my meds (I had been off work due to depression at the higher dose.)  It is generally recommended to wean off very gradually..I saw an actual dosage decline rate on an Effexor website.  If you are feeling better though with the drug, be happy that it works.  Nobody wants a diabetic to cut back on the insulin as soon as they feel a bit better.  It could be that you feel better due to the drugs.  GOOD LUCK..LORNA

Yws,tapering off is purr hell.

The first piece of advice I will give you is to see your doctor. You will need his/her assistance. I had been taking Effexor for about 8 years and I did not want to be tied to it any longer.  My physician advised me to taper off very, very slowly. 

Initially, I was prescribed 225 mg.  Each time I tapered off, I took 37.5 mg less.

My plan looked something like this:

First taper: 150 mg + 37.5 mg

Second taper: 150 mg

Third taper: 75 mg + 37.5 mg

Fourth taper: 37.5 mg

Fifth taper: 37.5 mg every other day...

I took my last pill about a week ago.

Each taper period, lasted for 2 or more months. I took the drug at the same time each day.  During this time I also took (and am still taking), a high-quality source of Omega-3 fatty acid in very large doses and B-Complex.  I drink lots of water and eat a very balanced diet and try to get fresh air and a walk every day. After I took my last pill I began a detox tea, an herbal nervine in the evening to aid with sleep and relaxation, and last but not least Bach Flower Remedies . . . I am also seeing a Master Herbalist/Naturopath for guidance.

Even after all of this I am still experiencing withdrawal, although not as badly as some of the cases I've read here and on other websites. I am experiencing electric shock-like sensations, mood swings, brain fog, anxiety, nausea, balance problems, etc. However, it is bearable and the severity lessens considerably every day.  

According to what I've been reading it can take weeks or even a few months to be free of symptoms.  But it's all worth it.  Just to be free of this drug is worth it...

I forgot this in my previous post . . . the other withdrawal symptom I've had is forgetfulness. The other thing to note is to make sure that you tell those around you that you are going off of these things, i.e., your spouse, close friends, children if they're old enough.  The moral support I received was astounding.  And please, please, do not go off of these things cold-turkey.

Take good care.   

yes i did go off effexor and yes it is horrible...i ended up in er and they game me shots of benadryl.....also a prescription for ativan to try to keep me calm....a pmd that i went to told me that effexor affects the brain the same way cocain does,,,,i ended up in bed for four weeks,,,,,and by the way,,,even 37 mgs is hard to get off...now for the upside of this .....you can do it but wean yourself down as slowly as possible...seek drs not a psychiatrist help......im sorry that you will be going thru some withdrawl but after that is over you will definetely feel better...

I can't begin to explain the discomfort and agitation I have experienced since coming off the Effexor.  My MD started titrating down the dose from 225, then to 150, then 75, and finally 37.5mg.  This happened over the courses of two months.  Today, I'm still dizzy.  My stomach almost always hurts, I have chronic diarrhea and my head kills me.  I would feel this if I missed a dose of the Effexor, but you'd think after tapering and finally stopping some two weeks ago that I'd feel better.  Worse yet: my MD never warned me about these side effects prior to starting me, nor titrating me off the meds.  I'm truly sympathetic to you! 

I had been on Effexor for many years and had tried to stop cold turkey due to the side effects I was experiencing(mainly no sex drive). After many attempts to stop cold turkey and experiencing the horrible side effects, I decided to try to taper off by taking a capsule every other day. Man, what a mistake! The dizziness was unbearable. So I decided to do some research on the internet and discovered that Effexor depletes the body of a major antioxidant called glutathione. I did more extensive research on glutathione and discovered that it is in fact a major antioxidant produced in the body. So I decided to see if glutathione was available in supplement form and it was! So I ordered a bottle of 250 mg capsules and started taking them while stopping the Effexor. Guess what? The side effects were minimal at best!!! It's been two weeks and I have had very minimal dizziness and slight headaches. Best of all, my sex drive is starting to return. I would definitely suggest to anyone trying to get off Effexor to give this a try. We all know our own bodies. My guess is if you suggested this to your doctor, he would tell you to continue to taper off, but from what I understand, this is a very lengthy and painful process. Good Luck to all!