Avoid stopping or tapering off Effexor until you speak to your doctor. Continue to follow the instructions your doctor gave you when he or she prescribed the medication. Tell your doctor the reasons why you want stop Effexor. Make sure you are completely honest about your reasons so that your doctor can consider the best treatment options for you. You may have a wide variety of reasons why you want to go off Effexor from feeling better to pregnancy or breastfeeding and other drug interactions. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Make sure to listen to your doctor’s suggestions. Ask questions if you have them, including the benefits and risks to stopping the drug as well as if there are alternatives to the doctor’s suggestions. You can always get a second medical opinion if need be.
Take one to two weeks to taper off Effexor if you’ve only taken the medication for less than eight weeks. If you’ve been on Effexor for six to eight months, you should wait at least one week in between dose reductions. For those people on Effexor for maintenance, taper much more gradually. For example, don’t reduce the dose by more than ¼ every four to six weeks. [7] X Research source Write your plan on a sheet of paper or in a notebook where you write other things such as your mood or problems you encounter. For example, you can write a plan that says, “Starting dose: 300mg; 1st reduction: 225mg; 2nd dose reduction: 150mg; 3rd dose reduction: 75mg; 4th dose reduction: 37. 5mg. ”[8] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
If you are taking Effexor XR, you will need to switch to regular Effexor. This is because the XR is an extended-release pill, and cutting it in half affects the mechanism by which the medication is released. This means it is possible to overdose, because too much will be released at once. [10] X Research source Get a pill splitter from your local pharmacy or medical supply store. Ask a pharmacist or staff if the product will suit your needs for splitting your pills.
Keep a weekly diary as a part of your plan. Note your doses and how you’re feeling. If you’re feeling good and have few withdrawal symptoms, you can continue to taper off according to your schedule. Remember to not accelerate your plan so that you prevent possible withdrawal symptoms. [12] X Research source Consider keeping a “mood calendar” for each day of the week. You can rate how your mood is on a scale from 1-10 daily in order to identify problems or recognize patterns in your symptoms with dose reductions. [13] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
If you have difficulty getting off Effexor, your doctor may switch you to fluoxetine (Prozac). Then you can taper off the fluoxetine without experiencing the withdrawal symptoms.
Anxiety Dizziness Fatigue Headaches Vivid dreams Insomnia Nausea Agitation Anxiety Chills Sweating Runny nose Tremor Feelings of unease or foreboding Muscle pain Stomach problems Flu-like symptoms Depression Suicidal thoughts
Continue to keep your doctor informed about your progress. You may even want to see a psychiatrist or psychologist as an alternative form of therapy to help you out while you’re stopping Effexor. This can minimize symptoms and may also give you new coping mechanisms. Let your family and friends know that you’re stopping Effexor and may experience withdrawal symptoms. Let them know the ways in which they can help you. Take some time off of work if necessary. Be honest with your boss about your condition. If you cannot take off any time, ask your boss ways you can contribute if you are experiencing withdrawal or recurrence of symptoms.
Aim for a weekly total of 150 minutes of moderate activity, or about 30 minutes five days each week. Exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, or biking can boost your mood. Consider trying yoga or Pilates, which not only contribute to your weekly exercise total, but can also improve your mood and relax you.
Get foods from the five food groups. Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. [22] X Trustworthy Source USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion U. S. agency responsible for promoting good nutrition based on scientific research Go to source Try to make at least half of your plate vegetables at each meal. Consider eating more foods high in magnesium, which may control anxiety. Some examples of foods high in magnesium are: almonds, avocados, spinach, soybeans, black beans, salmon, halibut, oysters, peanuts, quinoa, and brown rice. [23] X Research source
Avoid stressful situations whenever possible. If you can’t, get through stressful situations by taking deep breaths and excusing yourself occasionally to “use the bathroom” or “take a call. ” Even a momentary break can help minimize stress. Allow yourself to get a regular massages to relax yourself.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. You should get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Keep your schedule during the weekends to help minimize your symptoms. [26] X Research source Take naps of 20 – 30 minutes as needed. These can refresh you and may reduce withdrawal symptoms.
