Effexor xr and how to tapper off

[TatTa]

I have been taking Effexor XR 150 mg for 2-3 years and now I have been switched to lexapro 10mg . How do I go about  tappering off the effexor and when do I start the lexapro????

[shel62]

My son wanted to get off antidepressants so the   doctor suggested he go on  prozac to counteract the wd from effexor.....(75mg) prozacs half life is 5 weeks , while effexors is less than 24 hours...so it's really hard to go  off it especially if you have been on it for a while...even if they lower the dose to wean you it's pretty bad....withdrawal is awful. He's never been on Lexapro so I can't tell you if that will do the same thing...ease the withdrawal.  My son was on prozac for 4 weeks and than the doctor stopped it Cold turkey (not sure if I agree with that method) 10 days ago. He is doing just Ok. side effects nothing like effexor though.

Hope this helps

shel

[Hensley258]

Actually, Effexor can be taken safely together with Lexapro. In fact many P-docs perscribe the two in combination.

If your goal is to eliminate the Effexor than my suggestion would be to VERY slowly taper the Effexor down, while starting the Lexapro immidiatly.

Don't rush the Effexor taper because you can take the Lexapro while reducing the Effexor. No worry about any adverse reaction between mixing the two.