From the Guidelines
Weaning off Effexor (venlafaxine) can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, and it is crucial to taper slowly under medical supervision to minimize these effects. The withdrawal symptoms typically include dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and a distinctive "brain zap" sensation (electric shock-like feelings in the brain) 1. Some people may also experience anxiety, mood swings, flu-like symptoms, and sensory disturbances. These side effects occur because the body has adapted to the medication's effects on serotonin and norepinephrine levels, and needs time to readjust when the medication is reduced.
To minimize these effects, Effexor should be tapered slowly under medical supervision, typically over several weeks or even months depending on your dose and how long you've been taking it. The tapering schedule might involve reducing by small amounts (such as 37.5mg) every 1-2 weeks. Never stop Effexor abruptly as this significantly increases withdrawal severity 1. Staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and ensuring adequate rest can help manage symptoms during the weaning process. If withdrawal symptoms become severe, contact your healthcare provider immediately as your tapering schedule may need adjustment.
Some key points to consider when weaning off Effexor include:
- Tapering slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing the dose by small amounts (such as 37.5mg) every 1-2 weeks
- Never stopping Effexor abruptly
- Staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and ensuring adequate rest to manage symptoms
- Contacting your healthcare provider immediately if withdrawal symptoms become severe 1.
It is essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best tapering schedule for your individual needs and to monitor your symptoms during the weaning process.
From the FDA Drug Label
Discontinuation symptoms have been systematically evaluated in patients taking venlafaxine, to include prospective analyses of clinical trials in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and retrospective surveys of trials in major depressive disorder Abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction of venlafaxine at various doses has been found to be associated with the appearance of new symptoms, the frequency of which increased with increased dose level and with longer duration of treatment Reported symptoms include agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, impaired coordination and balance , diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, dysphoric mood, fasciculation, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, headaches, hypomania, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, sensory disturbances (including shock-like electrical sensations), somnolence, sweating, tremor, vertigo, and vomiting During marketing of venlafaxine HCl, other SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), and SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e. g. paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures.
The side effects of Effexor (venlafaxine) weaning include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Dysphoric mood
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Nightmares
- Sensory disturbances (including shock-like electrical sensations)
- Sweating
- Tremor
- Vertigo
- Vomiting These symptoms can occur when venlafaxine is discontinued abruptly or the dose is reduced, and the frequency of these symptoms increases with increased dose level and longer duration of treatment 2.
From the Research
Side Effects of Effexor Weaning
- The provided studies do not directly address the side effects of Effexor (venlafaxine) weaning 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, the studies mention various side effects associated with venlafaxine treatment, such as:
- It is essential to note that the side effects of weaning off Effexor may be different from those experienced during treatment.
- There are no research papers provided that specifically investigate the side effects of Effexor weaning, and therefore, no direct evidence is available to answer this question 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
- The studies compare the efficacy and safety of various antidepressants, including venlafaxine, fluoxetine, and olanzapine 3, 4, 5.
- Common side effects of these antidepressants include:
- These side effects may not be directly related to Effexor weaning but provide insight into the potential side effects of antidepressant treatment in general.