It's only been day 2 (insurance cancelled) of withdrawal & so far I've been feeling as though when I'm walking to whatever destination, my body arrives but my brain delays its arrival. I feel extremely anxious, nauseous, short-tempered, dizzy, sensitive & confused. I like how I felt while taking Effexor but these withdrawals are unbearable... how much longer can I expect to have them?
How long do Effexor withdrawal symptoms last?
Question posted by ambudai on 9 Feb 2014
Last updated on 3 August 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
170 Answers Page 7
totalmom364
26 Feb 2016
This is my 2nd full day of not taking 150 mg of Effexor. It's 3:42 am, my head feels like it wants to explode and the nausea is driving me crazy. I'm trying to ride it out. Has it taken anyone more than a week to go through withdrawal?
KerryMegan
27 Feb 2016
Hi. I saw your comment and can totally relate. I have been on Effexor for the past few years and had somehow got to a dose of 150mg per day. I don't believe that was necessary at all. Anyway I decided to come off it when I realized Effexor was the reason for my excessive weight gain and constant fatigue. I weaned down over a month, starting mid December. I had some withdrawals during that process but absolute worst since stopping completely about 5 weeks ago. Im still experiencing withdrawals and every day I feel some combination of nausea/vomiting, hot and cold sweats and depression / low mood. I am so damn sick of being sick. How much longer will it take?
totalmom364
27 Feb 2016
Many of the people in this forum have said it takes about a week for the symptoms to subside. I hope that is true because I don't know how much more of this I can take. I started getting emotional last night, crying for no reason. My son was only serving me dinner, and in the middle of saying thank you to him I started crying. I now know what everyone is calling "brain zaps", started experiencing them today. All I can say is hang in there, you're not alone. This is only my 3rd day of being off of this terrible medication, but, I truly feel that things can only get better.
123missions
12 March 2016
I have been taking Effexor for 13 years. first 37.5 mg after 6 years 75mgs. I want to stop because 3 years ago I've developed this annoying ringing in my ears and it is driving me crazy, not to mention the weight gain. Once I stopped taking it for 1 day and I thought everyone speaking to me was whispering because I never heard a word nor did I move to do anything. Another time I forgot my pill and felt like I wanted to jump on the train track. I don't know what to do at this point because I feel like I'm living in a bubble.
Aliciapaul357
15 March 2016
How is it going without Effexor XR I have been on it for 3 months I need off of it bad but I'm scared
SisuSue
18 March 2016
I am on day 5 to 8 (I don't even know my head is so confused) of no Venlafaxine and feel like hell. I can't even type, I'm so uncoordinated. Maybe when I feel better I will come back on. But just exhausted myself typing this.
You are not alone.
Janet23pr
28 March 2016
Hi, I started taking 150 mg of Effexor for only 4 months now, well on Holy Friday I decided that I want to get off this medication on my own. Anyways my last pill was on that Friday. Today it's been 3 days off hell with out them, felling all the symptoms that everyone says here, even heart palpitations, today 28/3/16, had to go to the ER, I wanted for the doctor to a detox on me.. I was feeling in pain, was so anxious, my stomach hurted, had a bad sensation of going to the bathroom, but I couldn't it was like I was constipated , nausea, headaches, dizziness, and what the dam Doctor did was gave me 2 infections one for the anxiety I came in with, the other for the nausea, and one for the pain. Felt a little better, but the dizziness is what I hate the most. I got home and went to sleep, the only part where I feel better, I sleep for hours, and I wake up all sweety, feel a moment better then it all comes back..
The dizziness, the discomfort, the anxiety of wanting to feel better, it drives me nuts. But every symptoms that everyone talks in this forum, is all true, I say to me that if I ever have to be in a antidepresion medication ever again , I rather be dead then taking Effexor.. I just want to be me again. This madication make you look like a zombie. Like if nothing around you cares. Or if someone says anything to you that u know in your good time you would have flip and tell the person off, well with this medication u look like a sucker, just the this feeling.. I'm glad I'm doing it on hard cold... With no need off lowering my dosage, been 3 days already, what the heck, might ass well finish with this way... Good luck!!!
withdrawing
23 Feb 2016
Thank you everyone for your experiences. I was up to 350 mg and have titrated down 50 and 25 mg at a time. I am finally at 25 mg, 1/4 a 100 mg tablet. It was hard at first, terrible in fact, for the first few tries until we found 25 mg reductions and adding 10 mg Prozac helped. After the Prozac was in my system for around 8 weeks we found I could reduce the Effexor by 50 mg without being crippled by the withdrawals. I started taking a new medication and continued using the Prozac but the last 25 mg of Effexor have me stuck. From reading more comments on this post I think I am going to try dealing with the worst 6 days during spring break. From what I have read in the past few months I have done what I can (bridging with the Prozac, tried omega-3s, reduced caffeine greatly) and I just have to deal with being in pain (agony) for a week... Does anyone else have experience completing their titrating off Effexor from the tablets- not the time release capsules?
Meller
23 Feb 2016
I have brain zaps everyday and it took me years to finally figure out how to explain the feeling!
amandamariexd83
23 Feb 2016
I am 19 and on my 3rd day without venlafaxine.and just knowing that I'm not crazy and the electical wirednees is real helps me more than anyone can know. It makes it easier to be this sick and emotional because I'm not the only one.
mousie2015
23 Feb 2016
Hang in there. It takes a good week. Vitamin C, walking, and exercise does help. I also did meditation for relaxation tapes on youtube.
Jessmeli
21 Jan 2016
I been on effexor xr 300mg for 3 years now. I hate this medication. It has taken all my motivation away. Im extremely fatigue. All i want to do is sleep all the time. On top of that ive gained 20 pounds from it. So im in the process of weaning off. I dropped a dosage every week. This week im at 37.5 mg. The withdrawals have been bearable. Dizzy spells, nausea, headaches. Luckly i havnt had brain zaps , thats only occurs when i skip a day of taking medication. Im very clumsy and forget everything since weaning off. This friday i will be done . Im sure the next few weeks will be a challenge but i just want to be done with this medication that i feel made my life worse. I felt like a zombie. I tried zoloft , pozac, wellbutrin prior to effexor but they did not come close to making me feel as bad as effexor. Plus the ridiculous weight gain. No matter how much i exercised and ate healthy the weight stayed. Stay away from this medication !!
todd6138
31 Jan 2016
I totally relate to the fatigue and thought I was just diabetic, which I am, but controlled. I haven't had my dose of 300mg for only two days and the brain zapping is driving me crazy. However, I already have more energy and better concentration. So now I feel like I have to decide between better feeling or possible depression and anxiety
UPANDDOWNN
25 Feb 2016
Hi, I am in the same boat but I do not have an alternative, as it works for me or does it ?(450 mg) 11 years now. But my life as I know it has gone... I use to be super fit, but this drug packed on 10kgs and I am lethargic and can sleep for days in one straight session without rising. Yes have tried a few times to wean off them and the same as yourself when I miss a night taking them or I cannot remember if I have taken them (usually when I haven't taken them I receive brain zapps and slow motion through my vision) as I don't want to double dose so I do not take them to be sure and I wake up to the worst nightmares and dehydration headaches. When I do wean myself over a few weeks I come down to 75mg I start to feel energetic and explode but then the tears start about anything, and cannot stand to be around people at times and feel down... so I take another 150mg tab and go to bed for a day or two. I am wanting to try anything to be my old self again.
chuck1957
19 Jan 2016
Help;; Okay you well see the doctor this week I think you said and if your having this much anxiety after 7 weeks its time for a change talk to the doctor about this when you see him or her and if you had good luck with Celexa many years ago no reason it should not work now.and it kicks in faster than others like 4 weeks. but may take it bit longer when you have been off of it for so long.YOU THINK IT OVER but time for a change Lexapro over 20 mg a day for most people shows no benefit. So try to go with the one you know but if doctor insist on this ask about something for the extreme anxiety that you have had to put up with for 7 weeks now.
chuck1957
18 Jan 2016
Hi Help; Are you taking anything now this itself sounds like symptoms of your anxiety more than withdrawals and I have never heard of a doctor not wanting to prescribe more than 75mg of Effexor XR the capsules that would hardly touch a person with true Gad, agoraphobia or general anxiety disorder. If all of this would flair up again for any reason I would see a doctor that knows more about medications. chuck1957
help2016
18 Jan 2016
Hi Chuck.
Thanks for your reply.
No, I am not taking any other medication right now.
I do feel very anxious though as I mentioned. The slightest stress seems to upset me, making me feel panicky and hopeless.
cuteandfluffybunny
18 Jan 2016
My doctor kept me on 75mg for 10 years and while initially it did not help a lot with the symptoms, after about 2 months it evened out and managed the anxiety quite effectively. From what I've read on this forum, the people that remained on low dose 75mg did much better coming off the medication once they needed/wanted to. Just like it takes a long time for all the side effects of withdrawing from the medication to go away I think people aren't patient enough to see that a low dose is very effective in managing GAD 99 percent of the time when using it. And on the lower dose the fatigue is not as intense.
cuteandfluffybunny
18 Jan 2016
Help2016... it will get better. The emotions do even out.
help2016
18 Jan 2016
Thank you all for your comments and feedback. Really appreciate it.
chuck1957
19 Jan 2016
Help; Don't really know why but some with bad withdrawals seem to have luck taking Ibuprofen while going through the withdrawal effect. think about it and its cheap take it with food if you do and no more than 2 at a time.
help2016
17 Jan 2016
I have already posted here, but have a question etc.,
The highest dose I took was 75mg +37.5mg. One doctor told me he would never prescribe more than 75mg!
I read here that many of you are taking 250-300mg per day. Everyone's needs are different, but it seems very high, isn't it?
I stopped taking the 37.5 a year ago, and weaned myself off the 75mg in October 2015. It is now mid-January 2016 - I feel ok for the most part. I wake up about 3 times per night sweating, having to take off the covers to cool down, and have to pee about 2-3 times per night. Used to be once per night early in the morning. Not sure if this is relative or just a coincidence. I often feel anxious.
I have not had brain zaps since the beginning of December, and never experienced vomiting. Consider myself lucky.
cuteandfluffybunny
18 Jan 2016
Funny enough I also pee more frequently but find that avoiding caffeine and not drinking water right before bed reduces the frequency. The anxiety for me got less and less each month as my body adjusted to not having the medication. I've been off 75mg since May 2015. I noticed about a month ago I started being able to have the ability to dream at night again, right about that time my anxiety level dropped off a lot probably because I can now achieve REM sleep. I keep a blanket next to my bed because sometimes at night I'm freezing and other times I sweat ... guess my body hasn't figured out how to regulate temperature yet either.
Anthonyn
16 Jan 2016
Ok here we go. I have been on Effexor for 12 years. I am getting off of it. I was at 150mg and tapered myself down with the Doctor. Very aggressive I went to 117mg in 4 days and now at 75mg and on 5th day. I have been working out, eating right, and staying away from alcohol. I do chew just to be transparent. Went to he gym this morning and ran for 2 miles and BAM confusion light headed and felt like my blood pressure was extremely low. My fiancé who was running next to me lied and said I looked fine but told me to go sit down. After the gym she said I was white as a ghost. Hahaha but not really. Good for her to not freak me out. I am pretty fatigued and just going to relax the rest of the day and hydrate. Will keep people in the loop if they want to know how the journey is going.
Symptoms. Diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, lack of concentration. This is so much fun!!
I do have Xanax that I take at night. It's a mere dosage of .25 mg. but I think it helps with the anxiety of withdrawals.
I am staying positive and if anyone has any questions please ask. I love support and love to support others. Keep on keepen on
GrandmaKim
16 Jan 2016
Anthonyn, I came off 75MG last November. I can tell you from experience and reading all posts are this blog, that you will need to back off the vigorous exercise as you come off this medicine. Once you are completely off the drug, you are going to have a tough 3-4 weeks, and I mean tough!! BUT... just take it easy, rest often, go for some long slow walks. I found the long slow walks even though I didn't want to, seemed to clear my head and made me feel better more than anything. Now that I have been detoxed and off the drug for 2 months, I am beginning to feel so much better and energy is coming back. I have started to exercise again, started a new diet and hoping spring will bring an entire new look and feel.
I think it is worth the pain to get off this stuff and now that I have traveled this far down the road, I would advise you to hang in there.
Grandma KIm
Anthonyn
16 Jan 2016
Thank you for the insight. The exercise was kicking my butt. Will chill out and keep to walking for a bit.
minnht
9 Jan 2016
I've been on Effexor for less than a year. I didn't think it was doing much for my depression and have also gained a lot of weight so I agreed with the doctor to come off it before going on to another anti-depressant. So I've gradually gone from 300mg to 75mg. I originally took 150mg in the morning and 150mg in the evening. Now I take just the 75mg in the evening. The days are hell. I feel so dizzy and I'm struggling to focus on things and probably shouldn't even be driving. I'm crying a lot too and am wondering how on earth I'm actually going to come off this. I can't start on my new anti depressant until I've completely come off this. Any advice please would be appreciated. Thanks nicola
cuteandfluffybunny
12 Jan 2016
Get some Dramamine, avoid caffeine, stand up or turn your head slowly to reduce dizziness. It's going to take at least a month to go from 75mg to zero and it took me 2 months. Some people swear by opening the capsules and reducing the pellets inside by one each day. I didn't find this was necessary until I was at the 37.5mg dose... here's what worked for me: A= 75 mg B= 37.5mg C=half the capsules in the 37.5mg
week 1 AAAAAAA
week 2 ABAABAA
week 3 BABABAB
week 4 BABBABB
week 5 BBBBBBB
week 6 BBCBBCB
week 7 CCBCCBC
week 8 C0C0C00
Once you finish week 8 you will have to still go through about 4 more days of feeling really nauseous so if you can take a vacation on the 6 days at zero dose in a row so you can basically stay in bed you will feel a lot better. My doctor gave me Klinopin to help with the anxiety and nausea and it did help on the really bad days. It's a difficult process coming off the medication. Take at easy and leave extra time for sleep.
minnht
13 Jan 2016
Thanks, that's really helpful. Although I'm drinking a can of diet coke as am typing this so yes I can definitely cut out the caffeine. I was in Holland and Barrett yesterday and got some Omega 3 and some Ginkgo Biloba which they recommended, I also got some ginger sweets to help with the nausea. But to be honest, now on day 5 of 75mg, I am starting to feel a bit better.
They are solid tablets rather than capsules that I have so I've been breaking it in half and having half at night and half in the morning. I'll try out your suggestion, it will be fun breaking the tablet into 4 pieces.
cuteandfluffybunny
13 Jan 2016
If you meet with your doctor he can prescribe the 37.5mg capsules. They are used when you are first being put on the medication or coming off of it. Or invest in an inexpensive pill cutter from the pharmacy.
help2016
1 Jan 2016
I decided to get off Effexor after using it for many years; about 12 years I think. Started taking it after going through Menopause.
I was raking 75 + 37.5mg/day. Stopped this dose abruptly and stayed on 75mg about 1 year ago. I had been using Effexor for so long that I wasn't sure if I needed it or not, and decided in October 2015 to wean off it. I did this over about a 1 month period.
I had what some of you call 'brain zaps'. Other than that I feel it went quite well. October 2015 onwards was a very stressful time for me. I had a lot to think about, and decisions to make, so I was not very focused on my symptoms of coming off Effexor. Still, 'brain zaps' seemed to be the most prominent.
The next stage has been that I have become very emotional and anxious. I thought that this may have been a coincidence, but after reading some of the messages and feedback shared here, I am not so sure.
I now cry easily, even for happy situations, and feel very anxious. I feel a wreck emotionally.
I would really appreciate feedback from you about your experiences. Thank you.
GrandmaKim
2 Jan 2016
help2016, hang in there. I promise it will be better. It will take about 4-6 weeks for these symptoms to start to go away. I cried everyday at the drop of a hat. I explained to my family what was going on so they would understand. One thing I learned was to not stop trying to cry, if you feel you need a good cry, just let it happen. It will pass much easier that way.
I was also taking 75mg a day for menopause for 4 years, weaned off as of 11-29-15. I feel almost normal now, other than a little fatigue once in awhile crying, all of the symptoms are gone!! I am now starting to exercise and starting a new healthy diet.
You can do it my friend, let 2016 be a new year for us!!
help2016
2 Jan 2016
Thank you so much for your feedback. It took a while to dawn on me that 'crying at the drop of a pin' may be linked to stopping Effexor, and not other issues I have been dealing with. I must say I feel much better just realizing the cause.
It is so good to hear that it will be better - It has been almost 12 weeks, so I am ready for a change. I plan to start excersising and hope this helps me to improve thexway I feel.
fleischmann1974
1 Jan 2016
I've been experiencing side effects from Effexor 37.5 and another drug now, on and off since the last week of November, they stopped first med on 12/9 and had me start taking Effexor instead. Plus I am on additional med that so far has not given me a problem. They stopped the Effexor 12/23/15 and then started it again 12/24/15. I was at the ER on Christmas as I felt like I was losing my mind, there I was told to stop Effexor and take Xanax 0.5mg Prn. Have had 3 Neurologists working with me then the ER dr, pretty frustrating. Testing me for everything because I asked them to, since I've also been sick with cold and flu since 10/30. Those symptoms stopped except for the fatigue,anxious, nausea.
Wondering if these side effects are normal that I listed below, now because of withdrawals from meds. If so then I'll just deal with it somehow.
Tingling sensation in waves inside my head all day and night whether moving or not. Off balance moving around stumbling, sleeping issues, crying, depression out of no where, shaking inside my body but not visible outside. Gagging by itself and nausea with/without vomitting.
More to list, but those are the worst ones.
Anyways enough of this, be glad when this HELL is gone.
Working in medical, as I do, makes this probably worse, trying not to focus on the pts I take care of, but certainly can understand their frustrations even more.
Any info or sugggestions appreciated.
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE :~
indaATL
1 Jan 2016
If you have any other choice take that med and not Effexor! After 7 yrs I stopped taking Effexor and it has taken about 2 yrs for it to come out of my system. I had a horrific weight gain and some other issues. It was a nightmare!
cuteandfluffybunny
4 Jan 2016
By now you should be improving a lot. Day 6 with no meds is the worse. The brain zaps and vertigo hang around for the longest, but getting up/turning your head slowly helps. Also Dramamine or sea bands help with the nausea when you have to walk around or travel by car. Since you were on this medicine for such a short time hopefully your body with adjust faster. But I know once I was off this medicine, for the first month I felt really crappy (tired, nauseous, emotional/angry, dizzy), but it does get progressively better. Tums/Pepto Bismol helped with the nausea somewhat.
Ichago
23 Jan 2016
I started taking Effexor in 2014, wanting to stop taking this, I was taking 150 xr. In November I told my doctor I wanted to wean off it, so for the month of November I took 75 xr, in December I dropped to 37.5 xr and in January I was taking 37.5 every other day. The past week i am not taking any but am havin dizziness, terrible diarrhea, and just feeling really bad. My doctor told me yesterday it would take about a month to get it all out of my system. Hoping I can get through this, I never want to get back on this drug. Looking for any helpful advice.
GrandmaKim
6 Dec 2015
I am 57 years old and took venlaflaxin for 4 years, 75mg. Doctor prescribed this medicine as a relief from menopause symptoms. He told me that recent "studies" had indicated good results in treating the emotion relief of menopause with this drug. Of course, he did not tell me what it would be like to stop taking it someday.
As of 11-29-15, I am off the drug, I tapered off on my own for 4 weeks. First 4-5 days, not too bad, then all hell broke loose. All of the symptoms discussed throughout this forum, I am experiencing. I help my elderly parents (they are in their 80's and have health issues and a lot of doctor appointments) so these detox symptoms are challenging to say the least but I am not going back on the drug! I have a strong faith and that and this forum are helping me.
I am going to try the Krill fish oil, vitamin C, Omega XL and walking a a slow mile each day. I already take a probiotic but will add a prebiotic to my routine.
I need to lose 60 lbs (all gained over the past 4 year I might add) and have lost 6 lbs in the past 8 days. I am sure that will taper off but with my plans to eat better (much better!!) I expect to lose the weight over the next 12 months.
If anyone has any more advice on how to make this detox easier, I will open to more ideas. My main issue is the constant dizziness (motion sickness feeling) and vomiting and severe fatigue. I will update again in 10 days to 2 weeks and let you all know if the supplements are working. I am praying that they will give some relief to the dizziness.
Spring 2016 will bring a new me and I look forward to it! God Bless.
Maggie1960
12 Dec 2015
GrandmaKim hang in there! I took myself off on Nov 24th 2015 after being on 150mg for years. I took all of the vitamins that you are taking and I walked, tried to stay busy but the withdrawal symptoms are brutal to say the least! I take Dramamine when the dizziness is extreme and it helps. I'm a dental hygienist and have to be at the top of my game always. Although things have gotten a little easier I still have dizziness, nausea, sleeplessness and the brain zaps/skids or whatever you want to call it. I cry easy (which drives me crazy) but on this day I am so grateful that these symptoms are not as severe as they were during days 4 through 9. I will never ever put another Effexor/Venlafaxine pill in my mouth EVER! I wish you the best of luck, keep your faith!
GrandmaKim
12 Dec 2015
Maggie1960 thank you for your comments. I can tell you the past two days have seen a big improvement. Vertigo is gone, body aches are gone. Slight dizziness and nausea (but no vomiting) are still there and a general just don't feel good feeling is still with me but much better. I do think the supplements are working. I have started working back on the farm with my husband a little each day but building back up. You hang in there, too! It will get better and all the pain of getting off this horrible drug will be worth it!!
I did add to my supplements a extra 15 minutes of bible study and quiet time with God that also is really helping me. I could not do this with His help. Blessings and Merry Christmas.
grandmakimnumber2
1 Jan 2016
I stole your user name and added number2 to the end cuz I'm also a grandma Kim!!
GrandmaKim
1 Jan 2016
grandmakimnumber2, glad to share!! If you are trying to get off the horrible drug, hang in there. I am off since 11-29-15 and starting to feel better everyday. First 3 weeks are really bad but it does get better.
grandmakimnumber2
1 Jan 2016
I don't see the rest of my comment. Hmm. Am I not using this site correctly
grandmakimnumber2
1 Jan 2016
The rest of my post... I'm 56 weaning off Effexor to Pritique to ?? I have been on Effexor for 20 years and my old symptoms of chronic depression/anxiety seemed to be coming back. Your post gives me hope that all will be well. I want to join you in your journey to a better you in the spring of 2016. I am realizing that what I am feeling is the withdrawels. All these posts have helped me to not return to Effexor. I was about to do it, in hopes that my morning anxiety and depression would go away. Keep me posted on your supplements.
GrandmaKim
1 Jan 2016
Grandmakimnumber2, the supplements helped! I am still taking them twice a day, Krill fish oil, vitamin C, prebiotic, probiotic, vitamin D3, and B12. They helped almost immediately, within 2 days I could tell a slight improvement.
The dizziness will last at least 3-4 weeks, but will get better. Don't give up. I can tell you that taking a slow walk outside everyday will help. The fresh air, even if cold, really makes you feel better, just be sure and walk slow and easy. I am really feeling better now, almost ready to start my diet plan and pick up the exercise. Still feeling a little tired and having trouble sleeping at night, but it is getting better.
I will never take any drugs again, no matter what. I am so mad at my doctor for starting me on this.
I also spend time every morning reading my Bible and praying and that is helping. Should have been doing that anyway but now that I have made a commitment to it everyday, I am finding this journey so much easier.
I will say a prayer for you today. You can do it and spring will bring goodness!!
robink
2 Jan 2016
I liiked the way I felt when I took the Effexor, I have to admit, it made me more energized and now that I am weaning off it, I am soooo tired.
chuck1957
29 Nov 2015
ambudai; Everyone is different on these medications, Even when your blood is clear of the medication These side effects can continue for several months Were you able to taper it down before you ran out? You could go to the top of this page and type in the drug name in the gray bar that says search and get some information on patient assistance where the drug company may help you where you can stay on it. You don't want all the old feeling you were having to come back. Try the brand name first then the generic not all generic companies offer this help. Good luck to you
darzer1975
29 Nov 2015
Today is my first day off completely and I think I'm going to lose my mind. I am so nauseous and sick. I feel like I just want to cry. I've been on effexor for about 15 plus years. I am determined to get off this med. I don't want to be on it forever. I just want to go to bed .
ddthistle
28 Dec 2015
Hang in there. I have been off 30 days and I still want to vomit... I've been reading from all these posts that it will get better.
Related topics
effexor, withdrawal, insurance, brain, symptom
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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