Have been on Effexor or similar medication for 20 yrs. Condition was getting worst, doctor increased medication, finally i have decided to get off the Effexor, doctor had no comment, offered no help. Have been off the Effexor for over 1 month, and suffering various side effects. Would like to find out how long the withdrawal symptoms will last (approx.) and what part of the body will it effect besides the nervous system? Would really appreciate some information, having a pretty hard time of it and nobody to turn to.
Thanks, Vicki
How long does withdrawal symptoms from Effexor last?
Question posted by marathon on 12 Oct 2006
Last updated on 6 March 2022 by Lizlemon27
This question has also been asked and answered here: Effexor withdrawal symptoms?
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33 Answers
Lizlemon27
6 March 2022
I HATE this Drug! Why would anyone put us on this. Yes it works for depression but try to get off after 30+ years. I’m having major brain shock. Started vitamins. I’m going to try 2 fish oil instead of one.
Lauzkro
25 Oct 2020
Hello. I don't know if you got your answer yet but I can tell you my experience. I was on Effexor for 3 years and basically begging the doctor to switch me to a different med. The doctors didn't believe me about the effects I was having was due to the med. I finally moved back home after being gone for 4 years. I went back to the doctor that had treated me for over 10 years. I told her about the med the doctor out me on and how 3 doctors wouldn't give me a different med so I could get off the scary med. I have been off the Effexor for around 4 years now. I don't experience the effects like I use to but they still come around. I feel the zapping effect more then anything. I am not the same as I was prior to taking that med. My depression is different. I wasn't actually major depressed. I've always been able to manage myself and my doctor I currently have has always trusted me.
I feel I am more depressed from being on Effexor and fighting the awful scary effects it had on me. I am scared to try or trust anything new as far as meds. I am very couscous of the meds others take. I am not myself anymore. I hope this answers your question and gets out there to help others. I wish I knew the truth of how serious that med was prior then ever starting it. Reading up and doing research should of been my job. May you heal through this.. Laura
WildcatVet
28 June 2020
"Factors that influence Effexor XR withdrawal include:
1. Time Span
How long have you taken Effexor? Did you take it for a couple months? Years? Have you taken it for over a decade? The amount of time you have taken this medication means your body has become reliant on this medication for everyday functioning.
2. Dosage
What dosage did you take? The dosage of Effexor that is commonly prescribed is 75 mg/day. However, some people may start at 37.5 mg, while others may fall between the range of 75 mg and 150 mg. The higher the dosage of the drug you were taking, the more difficulty you will have withdrawing.
3. Individual Physiology
Individual factors play a huge role in withdrawal. If you naturally aren’t really affected from antidepressant withdrawal symptoms, you may not be hit as hard with Effexor. On the other hand if you are very sensitive to medication, you may have a tougher time coping with the withdrawal.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
Do you plan on stopping Effexor XR cold turkey? Or have you set up a tapering protocol with your doctor? These are some questions to ask. Obviously cold turkey is much tougher on your body and brain’s readjustment compared to a gradual taper.
When will Effexor XR withdrawal symptoms subside?
It may take weeks, it may take months, and it may take a year for you to completely recover to 100%. Everyone copes differently with their withdrawal period. If you are withdrawing and have a major panic attack or anxiety that won’t go away, you may think that you’ll never end up recovering. Just give it time and continue about your life the best you can."
Diana KEARNEY
28 June 2020
Was on effexor for about a month from 37.5 then up to 150mg went back down to 75mg a day for week then started viibryd 10mg will I have with drawels for doing this from effexor?? Or well viibryd help an will Xanax .25 mg help please let me know thank you
Ajf223
18 Oct 2019
Hi.
I have been on this drug for 15 months. I was on a150 mls
A month ago I decide I wanted my life back, so decided to taper myself off. I reduced to 112.5 for 10 days the then 75 for 7 days, 37.5 for 5 days then stopped. Yes maybe I did this a little quickly. I had a constant headache for 4 weeks, vertigo, nausea, upset stomach.. basically a very uncomfortable 4 weeks.
I have now been off 8 days completely, have my engery back. Only symptoms I have is anxiety and a bit of confusion. Hopefully this will go shortly. Whilst anxiety isn't good, I am really happy to be off these horrible things. Just need to loose the 3 stone I put on while taking these thing..
Good luck to you all.. it's worth the pain
A.
Tristarose12
7 Oct 2018
I have never felt more sick in all my life.I had to taper off Effexor from 250mg over 3 weeks due to seizure activity. I am experiencing ringing ears, painful muscles, nausea and vomiting, heartburn after eating anything, shaking all over and depressive episodes and mood swings especially at night... This is so scary... If i knew what the withdrawal was like I would never have started on this medication. It has been a week... I dont think I can handle a month or more of these symptoms...
Specht13
9 Feb 2019
How long did your withdrawal go on for. I'm at 2 weeks and feel like I'm dying
Fitmom45
23 Sep 2018
I've been on Effexor for 4 years, mainly because I've had such a tough time with the withdrawal. But finally, my doctor found the cure while at a medical conference while talking to a Neurologist. Using Prozac while tapering off. I already feel better. I never realized how bad things were on Effexor for me until I starting getting off of it.
Nksiefert
17 Sep 2018
Omg Vicki,
I have been on Effexor(venlaphaxine) for about 20 years and every time I had an issue with some depression or anxiety, my dosage with increased. Yes, it was helpful, but I stated noticing that if I missed a dose I had horrible symptoms before I could get back on track. I did not want to live this way.
I talked to my pcp and decided to ween off a dosage a dosage at a time. I am now down to 37.5 mg as of 9-13-18. This time I am only having slight discomfort, but from 225 to 150 really caused horrible side effects and I had to go back up another 37.5 for awhile until stabilized. Some of the worst side effects I have ever had.
Mwanz
14 Sep 2018
Hi everyone. I started to take Effexor to combat the withdrawal of Chantix, 11 years ago. I was at 300mg a day for about 7 years after my initial dosage of 75mg. I started my taper Sept 25 2017 and my last dosage of 37.5mg coming up to to 12 weeks ago. June 23, 2018. It’s been the worst since I completely got off of it, but it was quite difficult throughout most my tapering period.
Once I got low enough, I started to use Effexor tablets so I could cut them in half and into quarters. All of my days are not horrible. I have good days and simply horrible days where I can’t even get out of bed. I know the horrible withdrawal is very common and can take a long time to completely subside, but is it normal to have horrible days, followed by good days and then horrible again?
It’s been like this since I was down to 150 mg a day after going from 300mg to 225mg. That horrible withdrawal (achy, very moody feeling horribly weak, lethargic, as if I’m on my death bed. My Doctor has been no help. When I first started to feel withdrawals, I asked him if there was anything he could prescribe to help me through the withdrawal.
Again, the only thing I would like feedback on (although I’d take feedback on anything I have posted) is: Is it normal to go from bad days to good days and then back to bad days? Ex.last week; I had such a horrible day on Tuesday to the point I came home from work and went to bed for 6 hours.
I felt as if I couldn’t get out of bed, but then I was feeling good in the evening and continued to feel good for the next 3 days. Saturday I was in bed all day again. Couldn’t get out of it. Sunday was good and today is horrible again. Thanks for reading.
Specht13
9 Feb 2019
Please tell me how you are doing now? I am having a horrible time also and like you I have a ok day and then I'm a trainwreck the next. I'm so scared I will never feel normal again. I have been off the effexor 11 days now. Any help would be appreciated.
Clonedr
30 May 2018
I was on venlafaxine for close to 20 years. I weaned off my last dose was March 28th. It been 2 months and I still have bad withdrawal symptoms. I have every symptom listed. I am not looking forward to a long term withdrawal process. I vote too this drug is horrible.
shanibree
19 May 2018
I have been weaning off slowly for months. I think your best bet is to slowly decrease dosage. I went from 75 to 50 to 37.5 to 25 then 25 every other day. I am on my third day now without and i am struggliing a bit.
English maiden
8 Feb 2018
Firstly... I advise a gradual decrease over several weeks first.
I have done that until I'm taking half of the little "seeds" in the capsule of 371/2 mg. Now I'm taking that half every two days. The effect are still awful even with such a tiny dose... Brain fuzz and lightheadedness is hardest! At some point I will just stop and put up with the brain fuzz until it is gone. It's been a long hard slog... Often interrupted when the side effects were interfering with life and I would have to continue with the drug until I could manage to begin again the road to "freedom"
I wish you the very best.
Buffed1
5 Jan 2018
At 3 weeks I was questioning whether going of the medication was a good idea. Irritable, anxious, racing random thoughts... not comfortable. 5 weeks out now and everything seems to have leveled out. Only on the ER for two years this time... but I am also in recovery, have a support group and love my counselor... it took asking myself and others some serious questions... but it is priceless.
bjkey
5 Jan 2018
I weaned myself off. Still having a few side effects. But, I am also suck with a cold and coming off sugar! So not sure how much if the side effects are caused by what!
On the positive side - my depression and anxiety are actually way better!
bjkey
24 Dec 2017
I have been on Effexor ER 300 mgs for many years, and never successfully came off it. Doctors always refused to wean me off or change it. Saying I needed to stay on it
Now, I gave no insurance and the cost made me cut back to 150 mgs (1 pill) a day. Then I started skipping days for as long as I could stand it before taking one. Took my last one Wed 12/20. Have to tough it out now.
Dreading the sweats,dizziness, feeling like my blood sugar has dropped. Hoping it goes away fast!
S j s
22 Oct 2017
I'm in my 4th week of no Effexor
I was so tired of the weight gain making me depressed
I cannot believe how bad this has got
My first week as hell even though I reduced very slowly from 75mgs
I assure you I had anger ( still have)
Tearful
Unable to sleep
Panic attacks
Rage outbursts
Overall feel isolated lonely and angry most of the time
When I'm not crying
Now that it's been 4 weeks ,I can't bring myself to go back on any
I feel so helpless
Kinda dammed if you do
Dammed if you don't
Related topics
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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