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 9
Brandee310
23 Sep 2015
Just an update to help make you guys hopeful. I took Effexor for 2 months. I am still not sure why my DR put me on it. I have never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. When I saw her I had just lost my fiance to a heart attack the day before. So Naturally I was upset and crying. I feel she should of put me on a more temporary drug or an "as needed" drug. I was under the assumption that is what Effexor was. While I was on it I was overheating really bad. I have never sweat so much in my life. Also being ADHD and taking adderall it was making my heart rate go as high as 155. I kept being told the side effects will fade. I stayed on Effexor for two months and just could not deal with the overheating anymore. Of course I was never warned what would happen if I just stopped taking it. 2 days after I stopped taking it my head started to feel weird. I figured maybe it was because I didn't sleep that night. The next day I felt like I was being tasered.
Like a low voltage was passing through my head and shoulders. I began to start twitching and getting brain jolts. I even started to studder. I researched online and discovered it was withdrawals from Effexor. Needless to say I got pissed because I should have never been put on it to begin with. I contacted a few DRs on what I can do to help with these effects. All of them said to get back on it and ween off of it. Can take about 6 months. There is no way..even the smallest dose made me sick. I was told it can take about 6 weeks to begin to feel normal again. Well 6 weeks is a lot shorter than 6 months. So I went cold turnkey and dealt with the withdrawals. It was hell for a month. I'm on week 5 and the withdrawals are not as bad. It isn't constant anymore. I only seem to have the "brain zaps" If I get super active and my heart rate goes up. As long as I relax I seem to be ok. I haven't twitched in awhile, I do still studder some. My brain still seems to lag a bit on responses and I get what a lot of people refer to as "brain farts" It is almost like my ADHD medication isn't working a lot of times. I do notice If I forget my Adderall the zapping and voltage feeling is stronger. I think the Effexor and Adderall had some sort of adverse effect with each other. Anyways I do notice improvement. Hopefully in a week or two I will see an even bigger improvement. I hope this helps a little in giving people hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel it just takes time to get there. Now if you were really diagnosed with depression and you know you have it. Please ween yourself off. The depression can return and probably worse. I will post again to keep you updated. Stay strong!
Morgana Parnell
23 Sep 2015
I'm having a hard time. I took it for so many years but I just got numb. I weened off for a year and finally stopped 4 weeks and 5 days ago. I went through hell for 2 weeks and now I'm just sad, afraid and angry. Angry is just sad's bodyguard. I feel so hurt from everything and nothing. I'm snappy and mean sometimes for no obvious reason.
Kd4u
24 Sep 2015
I think this drug permanently changed my brain chemistry for the worse. Even though I am off it I will never be the same. I have been clean from it for three years. It should be classified as a controlled substance because it makes one physically dependent on it. I took it not having any idea or information on how hard it would be to stop. I coped best with regular vigorous physical exercise and music. Don't be too hard on yourself you are on the process of healing and that takes time. I wish you and everyone else who is trying to recover the best of luck. Also seek help and support this is not an easy thing to go through.
cuteandfluffybunny
24 Sep 2015
The emotions do balance out, but until then you will feel irritated at things that didn't bother you while you were on the medication. I can relate... but I can honestly say that after 3 or 4 months they have balanced out a lot better. I still cry easier than I used to, but maybe this is more " normal" than NOT crying when I should feel sad. I found I feel a lot better when I get out and do some exercise, even if it's just walking.
tierney0787
6 Oct 2015
This is me right now. I hate Effexor!
Carriger2
8 Oct 2015
Research cbd oil. It's hemp oil from Marijuana but without the thc that gets you high. It has so many amazing benefits including mood stabilizing. Good luck!
williamcowper
15 Nov 2015
sorry you are feeling this way . am off Effexor for 7 days now .. i realized lots of exercise , lots of omega 3 and the Ginko Giloba herb really helped .then one more thing i'm off sugar and caffeine .. its helped me alot ...
robink
1 Jan 2016
I am having a hard time tapering off. I am angry now, too. I keep thinking about leaving my husband. I almost didn't attend a family Christmas dinner (I cheated and took a pill ) How are you now?
cuteandfluffybunny
4 Jan 2016
After 6 months at zero Effexor I think everything has finally balanced out . My moods are normal, I don't get insomnia, I can think clearly, and I even recently starting being able to dream at night again. The snappy feeling does subside, but it takes time... for me I felt angry *more easily* for several months with no Effexor in my system.
Weka
25 April 2016
I was feeling angry all the time on the drug that is why I am trying to get off it. Or is the word irritable.
How are you feeling now?
Kd4u
18 Sep 2015
It is possible but they are likely not to be as severe as completely stopping. When I went from 75mg to 37.5mg I had a few brain zaps that didn't last long and a little anxiety which went away quickly. The real symptoms came when I stopped completely.
JudiS1016
18 Sep 2015
I definitely agree with you. The hard part is coming off completely.
Derango
18 Sep 2015
Hi,
I'm new to this site, will I start to get withdrawals decreasing 300mg to 262.5
Thanks
cuteandfluffybunny
25 Sep 2015
The major withdrawals are when you go down to 37.5 and start skipping doses as part of the weaning process. Most people I heard talk about the higher dose decreases had some dizziness and some brain zaps but those are tolerable at the other decreases. The important part is to follow a doctors schedule of a slow decline in dose. I was most comfortable with down a level each week... I was on only 75 mg but I did it this way ( 75 75 37.5 75 75 37.5 level down 75 37.5 75 37.5 75 37.5 level down 75 37.5 37.5 75 37.5 37.5 level down 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 level down 37.5 skip one 37.5 37.5 skip one 37.5 37.5 level down skip one 37.5 skip one 37.5 skip one 37.5 skip one 37.5 level down skip two 37.5 skip two 37.5 skip two 37.5 then stop and no matter what the next 6 days are rough. I'm sure you can follow this pattern starting at a higher dose. Some people feel the need to take the beads out of the 37.5 capsule and do one more level ...
or take one bead in the capsule out per day until you have none left but I'm not sure it makes it any easier, it's still really tough the first 6 days at zero dose and the whole weaning process is uncomfortable, but I was able to work during it except for day 4 and 5 at zero dose, the dizziness made me stay home. So if you do the math and figure out how to make those days on the weekend or take a week vacation time for the zero dose week you would probably feel more comfortable. I've successfully weaned off this medication twice.
AntonF
3 Nov 2015
I don't see the point of skipping doses during w/d. That sounds like it would prolong the suffering. Doesn't sound righ/good to me? I've been off Effect for about a month and it's not so much hell anymore as it is limbo. I do find myself crying a lot more. No more numbness/no emotion. Too much at times. Wish I did the idea where you count the beads and wean that way. Good luck all. You are not alone!
Pkelly1445
15 Sep 2015
I have been on 75 MG for one year I have stopped because I feel way too numb, non existent. I have the strangest feeling in my head, almost like I'm being electrocuted. II have much more energy and ambition. I am sticking this through
williamcowper
15 Nov 2015
if you can get the Ginko Herb it will hep with the strange feeling in your head ... and also Omega 3
Tulalee
23 Nov 2015
All I can say is thank God I found you people! I thought I was having a stroke last night but it's coming off this med!
Inactive
14 Sep 2015
Hi.. I have been on venlafaxzine for 8 months and while it dulled everything it didn't help much. I have never bought into the chemical imbalance theory and that is all it is, a theory. Read Dr Terry Lynch about depression etc and it will open your eyes. This drug is the nastiest thing out. I was on 300 mg and worked up to that but decided no more drugs and have tapered down over a couple.of months and down to 37.5 for 2 weeks then just stopped didn't see to point in dragging it out as you start from nothing to 37.5 and go up. Talk.about feeling like being hit by a truck. Aches, flu like symptoms, nausea like.food.poisening, brain zaps,sore teeth and gums and from no other reason than detox of this stuff. Memory issues, body tingles,nightmares from discontinuing , disrupted sleep. Been 5 days now of no med and it is still happening. Taking fish oil at 1000mg of EPA to help plus vitamin c a b complex and kava capsules for anxiety.
I will never ever ever touch this stuff again - period. Rather manage how I feel n terms of depression low mood with diet, distraction, yoga keeping busy, exercise,mindfulness,gratitude, dbt techniques and vits. Hang in there. This will pass. But be kind to yourself, keep busy and lots of self care,water , minimize booze,st drugs ,caffine for now and get support from a friend, health person or fellow sufferer or however you get that. Kia kaha I hear you!
cuteandfluffybunny
16 Sep 2015
Hang in there... it does it better but it takes about 2 months at 0mg before you don't feel ill at all.
KCL15
3 Sep 2015
Day two for me. Ive been taking generic Effexor for approx. a year now. I felt the benefits of the drug for a few months but it seems to no longer help and ive only been taking it to avoid the withdrawal phase. Well here I sit at work feeling light headed and disconnected. I didn't sleep well last night, I now know first hand what "brain zaps" feel like. I took some fish oil before leaving for work this morning with hopes that it will help me through the day. I am so through with taking this crap, Ive felt for many months now that it has done more damage to my mental state than good. SO I making the push, no more script refills, wish me luck.
Hila12
13 Sep 2015
Good luck. You can do it
Derango
18 Sep 2015
Good luck,
I've just started to come off from 300mg,
I don't want a drug to dictate how I feel, and ruine my body in the process
Kd4u
20 Sep 2015
it won't be easy but you can definitely do it. I did and so have many others. One day at a time.
robink
2 Jan 2016
Let us know how you are doing? Did you get off it?
pooterninners
20 Aug 2015
I was taking 150 mg venlafaxine for about 9 months and decided to taper off. It completely destroyed my sex life, I was sweaty and tired all the time, and had a dry mouth all day. I cut down to 75 mg and immediately had withdrawal symptoms; vertigo, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. When I stopped completely I had constant loud ringing in my ears and what someone referred to as "head zaps", I had vertigo to the point where I could hardly walk and would not dare to drive a car, I had painful cramps and couldn't eat and vomited when I did try to eat. I became very teary and cried without warning and was very irritable. The worst of it lasted for about a week and overall it lasted quite a bit longer than that. I have never been through anything like this in my life and never want to go through it again. I would never want anyone to suffer from depression and these drugs do help, but this one was not for me. My sex drive and ability to reach orgasm returned the day after I stopped taking venlafaxine and I didn't realize how much I had missed it!
nodii
22 Aug 2015
Really? After the day you stopped taking the tables your sex drive was back? That's fantastic. My partner is finding very similar results.
DivaGurl
28 Aug 2015
I have been taking 225mg for several years and when my prescription ran out, I decided to not renew it. Didn't talk to my dr, just did it. It's only been less than a week and I have to say I've experienced nausea, brain zaps, and severe tinnitus... but nothing as severe as I've read about here. I'm so sorry for y'all! I've been on anti-depressants since 2001 due to severe chronic pain causing corresponding depression. My daughter has noticed I've been more animated but I didn't even tell my husband, fearing he would want me to taper and I just didn't want to. Figured I'd try it and if he withdrawals were too severe I'd start tapering under dr care. I will pray for all of us to have better results!!
cuteandfluffybunny
3 Sep 2015
You are only at day 6... it gets worse.
Noochie
9 Aug 2015
How long do effexor long term withdrawal symptoms last is my question. I was weaned off effexor slowly, completely topped 11 months ago and still have terrible body aches all over my body.
Neil-Leicester
9 Aug 2015
Hiya,I had a nightmare too coming off these but in the end I had to give in and now have a very small dose of citalopram 20mg and I'm now fine,I know how tough the withdrawal is from Effexor but taking fish oil supplements and Benadryl anti histamine did help me,I had found the info re these on the net,I hope you get sorted,for me the last thing I wanted to do when I had been through weeks of awful withdrawal effects was to begin a new anti depressant but I am so very glad I did as I am starting to feel more like living again rather than just simply existing.
cuteandfluffybunny
3 Sep 2015
The body aches probably aren't from withdrawal. I've been off the Effexor for 4 months and I do notice that I feel pain more easily when I exercise too much and the arthritis in my hands bothers me a lot more. It think the Effexor was covering up those sensations by dulling the minds ability to perceive the pain, (Sometime Neurontin, an antidepressant, is prescribed to help for pain relief when a muscle has been strained) Have you tried taking a D3 supplement? I hear that people deficient in it can experience body aches on their whole body.
vee0308
9 Aug 2015
I went off Effexor last month... My PA weaned me off over a month when it should have been more like 6 considering the strength I was on and the years I had been on it. It was agonizing... Besides the mental pain like anxiety and depression... I had a horrible nausea u and massive headache and didn't get out of bed for almost a week. I cried out to God to give me strength to endure. Well, needless to say I did. The day I stopped Effexor I started lexapro which takes a few weeks to kick in. I also started Wellbutrin a month prior to weaning off. I saw an ENT because I thought my headache was due to a sinus infection, which it was not. He told me as well as fix the eye doctor and herbalist that I was taken off way too fast... what helped me the most were ice packs for my head... zofran for nausea, plus a zofran shot at the doctors and a shot for my horrible headache which really only helped that day.
I also drank Gatorade, and Vit b complex and fish oil after researching what others did. I took Xanax to combat the anxiety and I can not tell you how much I prayed which I believe ultimately got me through the worst of the two weeks. Don't lose faith... You WILL get through it... And whatever you do... Don't start it again... It's poison to your body and mind. Good luck to all and God Bless...
marcus1115
8 Aug 2015
I feel sorry for all you Americans having such bad health care systems that you get left without medications and treatment. Land of the free they say. Anyway i am in a private hospital in Australia and am withdrawing effexor at 40mg every 3 days no real way to avoid some withdrawal. But recommended not to do at home. Nurses take care of you and they have sleeping tablets and valium if you cant sleep. Plus moe i am sure if i really loose the plot. But also getting TMS (transmagnetic stimulation). Which i am sure is in the us.
val200
21 July 2015
You need to visit the web site "Effexor.com" they have you fill out a form and then will issue you a card and you will be able to get your Effexor for $5.00. this will help you withdraw at a much slower rate. I am in the process right now. It takes a long time and you need to go slow.
Gfreez
7 July 2015
My refills for Effexor XR (150mg) ran out about 5 days ago. I had called my pharmacy to get refills, which they call my doctor (I was actually seeing a PA) to request the refills. Long story short... I found out from my pharmacist that the PA I have been seeing (we recently moved to a new state) is no longer working at this office!! I am now on day 5 without this horrible drug. I have never been so sick!!! I have the brain zaps, severe dizziness, severe nausea, and anxiety from coming off of this medicine. I do not want to put this medicine in my body one more day!!! I am so scared of what is to come. Today has been my worst day, by far. I can't imagine it getting any worse! I am, though, only on day 5 of abruptly stopping. I know it is suggested to taper down, but if I have to go through this again from tapering I don't know if I even want to try.
Maybe I should just try to push through and hope for relief soon!!! I am just so upset about this entire circumstance!!! I had no idea that this medicine could have such terrible withdrawal symptoms. I will NEVER go back to this medicine, and I would never suggest it to anyone!!!
tracieaw
7 July 2015
I am so sorry you feel this way Effexor is from this pits of hell!!! I recently came across a great blog that a woman wrote when she was "going off the dreaded Effexor drug" It is called the Prozac Bridge. I plan on trying it after I get over my nervous breakdown I just think I had. (everyone else thinks I just need to snap out of it) Anyway here is the info. Good luck. OK... I cannot get online on my phone to get my bookmarks to work but I'm sure if you google Wendy Nielsen blog/Prozac bridge you can find it. She has helped a lot of people with this idea. If not email me and I will be available after 5 with the correct info. t.a.warren95@gmail/com
cuteandfluffybunny
13 July 2015
By now you probably are wondering if you will ever get well again. You will, I got better but it was a long tedious struggle with withdrawal. Even with tapering off the medication over a month and a half the withdrawal is cumbersome ,but it isn't life threatening that way. If you have the option to go off your medication slower please consider that so you don't get serotonin syndrome. I have been off Effexor for 3 months completely. It took about 6 weeks to feel completely normal... but after about 3 weeks at zero dose I did at least find the ability to think straight and the nausea abated. The brain "Zaps" and dizziness went away about 6 weeks at zero. I hope you are getting through this ok.
Neil-Leicester
16 July 2015
Utter desperation and despair,i have been off of venlafaxin now for 10 days and am a quivering wreck,brain zaps,vertigo,ear problems,exhaustion,confusion,weak,and omg crying crying crying! Whoever allowed this medication to be authorised for use should be appalled! Thank god I found this site,my CPN says she hasn't heard of any real issues with side effects etc..MY BIG QUESTION TO ANYONE IN THE UK PLEASE... Can you help me to determine how long this nightmare will last? If anyone is happy to exChange email addresses I would appreciate it as I am almost at my wits end:(
Neil-Leicester
9 Aug 2015
Hiya,I had a nightmare too coming off these but in the end I had to give in and now have a very small dose of citalopram 20mg and I'm now fine,I know how tough the withdrawal is from Effexor but taking fish oil supplements and Benadryl anti histamine did help me,I had found the info re these on the net,I hope you get sorted,for me the last thing I wanted to do when I had been through weeks of awful withdrawal effects was to begin a new anti depressant but I am so very glad I did as I am starting to feel more like living again rather than just simply existing.
cuteandfluffybunny
28 Aug 2015
I've been completely off of Effexor since May and I feel totally normal. It is possible, it just takes endurance and getting off the medicine with the doctor's help. It was a tough road and dealing with the influx of emotions once I wasn't on the medicine was difficult but it got better, little by little.
AntonF
29 Sep 2015
Unfortunately tracieaw, that's what most people that don't understand mental illness will say. I wonder how they would feel going up to a cancer patient and saying "Suck it up, it's only chemo!' or "If you just snap out of it and act happy, the tumor will go away!". Uneducated people are the most dangerous.
maloneyx4
6 July 2015
I take Effexor XR 150 once daily, I ran out yesterday due to the holiday weekend and my pharmacy being closed, with my work schedule I can't pick it up until this evening. its not even been 48 hours and I feel terrible, headache, dizziness so bad I've vomited 5 times while at work today, I feel like my mind is in slow motion but my body isn't, and short tempered and agitated. I feel like I have the flu, stomach virus and an ear infection all at once. If I had know that this would be the case with only missing 2 doses I would have never started taking this medicine. My poor husband is getting the brunt of it all and he doesn't deserve it.
Seriously they need to take this stuff off the market.
Bonkers1949
9 Sep 2015
This stuff should be illegal drug been trotting for 3 months Psychiatrist not at all knowledgable I had to research and give to my doc as well as to my primary doc. Please tell me that this horror show will end. I need a future!!! I need peace of mind I will take depression any day over this hell.
Bonkers1949
9 Sep 2015
I meant I have been trotting off drug for 3 months now I am trying no caffeine to see if helps.
Bonkers1949
9 Sep 2015
Why can't I say the word tritrating without spell check changing it to Trotting probably cause I keep having to trot to the restroom. At least I still have my sense of humor through out this ordeal and bonkers is what I am too with my doctor being so insensitive and a jerk with out any compassion for what I am going through. Thank you all for passing your wisdom along
Laura Roberts
16 Sep 2015
I agree this medication is horrible I've had such severe gas in my stomach that just won't go away has anybody else had that
Laura Roberts
16 Sep 2015
I agree this medication is horrible I've had such severe gas in my stomach that just won't go away has anybody else had that
salvadorpalma
29 Sep 2015
Hello Laura. I've been on 150mg for 3 years. I have gas and sweating. I've also experienced all the stuff other people mentioned any time I forget to take it or run out of pills. I also tried to withdraw some times, but I failed to do so.
All this shared experiences are motivating me to try again.
AntonF
29 Sep 2015
Bonkers1949, I agree buddy. This stuff should be illegal. I've been on Effexor XR for years and it hasn't helped. I had to move to another country before doctor's started to take me seriously. This stuff just makes you numb and if you miss a dose then you feel lie hell. I have been off it for 5 days and want to die. Venlafaxine should be illegal!
LibertyMom
3 July 2015
I've been on Effexor XR for 15 years and am weaning myself off immediately. I stopped abruptly on July 1st and paid the fiddler for that mistake. I am taking 75 mg capsules, which each contain 80 pellets. I'm going to reduce my dosage by one pellet per day over the next 80 days and hope that spreading it out that long will help reduce the withdrawal. I'm already taking Omega-3 and will immediately seek out B-Complex and multivitamin that won't upset my stomach. Everyone on this forum has done it and I can't thank you enough for your insight and support.
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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