Hello. My therapist has suggested changing from effexor xr to the chemically similar pristiq. I've been on 150mg per day of effexor for several years, and have experienced withdrawal effects before due to missing doses for a few days, so I know what that's like. To start, I'm taking 50mg pristiq and 75 mg effexor daily for 7 days, and then 50mg pristiq and 37.5mg effexor for the next 7 days. My therapist has suggested this dosing to make the transition gradual. I was just curious as to anyone elses experience with such a change, good or bad. Thanks, GM