5htp and Effexor

[Mike528]

I have been weaning of 37.5 mg of Effexor for a week and a half taking it every other day. When can I start taking 25-50mg of 5Htp. Will this be safe to do? The Effexor is driving me crazy (sweating, fatigue, nausea..etc)..Thanks

[Paxiled]

There are differing opinions on this.  On the one hand, it might ease the transition.  On the other, it might throw you back into an earlier state of withdrawal, since if it works it will increase the efficiency of your serotonin production system at a time when you're serotonin receptors are reawakening after not being needed while you were on Effexor, and that's part of what's causing your withdrawal (since Effexor also works on norepinephrine, it's more complicated than just an ssri).  The only way to find out is to try it; since you're almost done with the Effexor  I don't see that it could cause serotonin overload, but the cautious route would be to wait until withdrawal is complete, then try the 5htp.  You can, however, if you were taking the Effexor for primary depression, take St. John's Wort and see if it helps because it doesn't work on serotonin directly the way 5htp does.  You can also try fish oil, which is reported to help with some of the physiological symptoms.  If you do try the 5htp, please tell us how it went.

[Mike528]

Thank you for your help! I don’t have any success with these medications. I've tried a bunch of them and the side effects are terrible. I'm getting waves of nausea and waves of depression. My mind is in a fog. When can I stop taking the Effexor completely?
Thanks Mike

[remar]

Wean off of it as slowly as you can so you won't have severe withdrawal symptoms. Nausea is very common when coming off this med.
Let us know how your doing and take care. Remar