Best way to wean?

[Bec1980]

Hi all

I'm currently trying to wean off effexor-xr and finding it difficult. I was on 75mg 1 tablet a day and have managed to get to 1 tablet every 2.5 days which has taken me 3 weeks to do. I feel so sick all the time. Head spins, nausea. Does anyone have any advice on the best way to wean with the least side effects and also how long is this going to take me to get completely off them?

Bec

[AM]

I'm no expert, but I always thought the best way to wean off meds was to go from 1 tablet a day to perhaps taking 3/4 of a tab a day, get used to that for a few days/weeks, then down to 1/2 a tab a day get used to that etc.

Depriving your body cold turkey, then giving it a big hit every 3 days or so is going to give you problems I would expect.

How long it is going to take? It all depends on your body and how it copes, you just need to play it by ear and adjust accordingly.

[Lastcenturymum]

Is your doctor aware of you doing this and is he/she supervising it or did you just decide to do it yourself?

If it's something you are doing yourself, then maybe discuss it with your doctor so you have the safest possible way of reducing it.

Maybe it will take longer than you expect and you may be on a low dose for longer than you hoped for.

ApprenticeMomma raises a good point about the 3 day break then 'wham' hitting your system with it.

[jessmarty]

I was on effexor for 8 weeks and when i was weaning i felt so so Sh*t. Go to your Gp and get the 37.5 mg and take them daily for a little bit before maybe cutting out every second day??
Goodluck!!