Effexor XR Side Effects, withdrawal and alternatives

[alainb1]

52 year old male, moderately high blood pressure, moderately high cholesterol and a history of depression. Taking BP medications [low doses Hyzaar and Cozaar on alternate days]; Lipitor and had been taking 50 mg of Zoloft daily for about 6 years. Also, to offset the feelings of lethargy from Zoloft my GP and I started a trial course of Provigil [modafinil], 200 mg daily in the morning. Started seeing a psychiatrist about 3 months ago in part because I felt the Zoloft had

[exeffexor76]

As I continue to research and find more information on this drug..I am just disgusted at the number of people who were misinformed..who is to blame for this

1. wyeth for informing physicians only 10% of people experience side effects (NOT true)...
2. my physician for not telling me of the side effects and so non-chalantly prescribing this drug to me..
3. me ...for not researching this drug before allowing it into my system..

Yes Effexor did help me get out of my hole..BUT it was me and continues to be ME who overcame and will continue to fight depression..its a daily battle.

I am upset..that I have to go thru these withdrawal effects..thinking something must be wrong with me..the electrical brain shocks..WOW that is scary ..yet when i complained to my doctor ..she totally dismissed me..
I am a 28 year old female..and fortunately..my friends nor family are fighting the same battle so when i try to talk to them about how i feel about this drug..they dont get it..
THank god for sites like this..
Reading the above post that 2,9 billion dollars was made on this drug last year alone is sad..
how can they put this drug out and continue to get people on this medication without informing them of the side effects...
its not right..!
Please inform me of sites that fight this drug or how we can fight wyeth and make it personal that they are affecting people in this way..

Depression will not be "cured" by drugs alone..
ITs about you.
You need to fight this battle daily
get positive people to surround you.
find happiness in the small things..
and push yourself a little extra every day..
I am much happier now..and am a better person because of this
yet we need to find a way to help people with depression..without just   prescribing this drug and others like it..i found the withdrawal effects were so scary and could easily make a person relapse..
I am still on 75mg a day ..and will be off one day..and be a true exeffexor ..
God Bless

[Warr]

I had been on 140m if Effexor XR for 7 months.  Prescribed by my Doc as the "cleanest and safest of anti-depressants" on the market right now. I was placed on them for a mild depression that developed from heavy duty stress. He said it would take the "edge" off and that I should try it for a month or so.  Well after my bloodpressure skyrocketed do to the 140m dose, I was told to cut back to 75m a day.  That seemed to take the edge off. But I was begining to notice that my eyes were not focusing at times.  Also during a very hot and humid day, with temps reaching over 100 degrees my eyes felt like someone had pulled them out and stuck them in a microwave.  It felt like heat exhaustion or Sun Stroke.  But I had not been in the sun. Thats when I realized I had missed a pill that morning.  
I contacted my doc and he assured me that it wasn't the Effexor at all and that I should just stop taking them.  NOT decrees the dose, but stop taking them altogether.  Well I tried that and almost passed out.  So he said every other day of the 75m, ccouldn't do this either.  He would NOT beleive me that I was suffering what I found to be Vertigo.  My brother recommened I do some searching and found this sight.  
My doc was non supportive and beleives that Effexor XR has no side effects.  He is wrong, and inept in his ability to understand what he prescribes. Since August I have gone to the 37.5m cap for 30 days, then I had to actually split the granules that I know was not all that smart, but I couldn;t get the lower dose.  I have been Effexor XR free for 5 days, I have slight vertigo, but it lessens daily. At first i experinced migrains that were so fierce I thought I would have to take the full dose again.  I am not sure what route (if any) I will take in the future, but Effexor XR is not a choice.  Thank you and good luck to all of you who have taken and still take this med.   - Warr

[Sweettooth356]

I have taken Effexor and my highest dose was 150mg XR/once a day (extended release capsules) for 1 1/2 years; I have been tapering for 8 months and I'm now at 28.06mg/for the day (using tablets).  I have had minimal withdrawal to this point and I attribute that to the very slow tapering and cutting doseage's at a rate between 5-10% (and no more than that) each time.

A DOSEAGE CUT of 5-10% example:

50mg x 5% = 2.5mg
50 - 2.5 = 47.50mg (new dose)

Next cut:

47.50 x 5% = 2.38mg
47.50 - 2.38 = 45.12mg (new dose)


Now for the how to's:


Instead of counting out granules (which really isn't accurate as granule capsule contents vary anywhere from 105 - 124 granules per capsule), use Effexor immediate release tablets (don't worry you won't feel any different than using the capsules. The only difference is that you will take one half of your tablet dose in the morning and twelve hours later take the second half of your dose.  


THE GOOD NEWS:  Effexor comes in tablets:  100mg, 75mg, 50mg, 37.50mg, and 25mg.  You can purchase a "pill splitter" from any pharmacy--the cost about $4.00 (american money) and split your pills in half, quarters, and even eigths--(with a little practice for the 1/8s).  Splitting tablets will enable you to have more control stepping done your medication.  When I got to a dose that is in between one of the tablet sizes listed above, I respectfully requested from my doctor a prescription of two different amounts of tablets (for example 37.50mg tablet and 25mg tablet).  When I was ready to step down from 37.50mg I did NOT want to go directly to 25mg--that is WAY TOO MUCH of a cut.  Instead this is what I did:


---I cut a 37.50mg tablet into eights = 4.66mg/per eight and then cut a 25mg tablet in half = 12.50 mg.  I would then take:  one 4.66mg plus one 12.50 mg =  17.16mg (morning dose) and then do the same thing 12 hours later.  17.16mg + 17.16mg = 34.32mg for the day.  I stayed at this new amount for a month.


Then I tapered to 31.24mg for the day. I got that by:  cutting a 37.50 in quarters = 9.37mg and cutting a 25mg into quarters = 6.25mg.  I then took 9.37mg + 6.25mg = 15.62mg in the morning and then same thing 12 hours later.  15.62mg + 15.62mg = 31.24mg for the day.  I stayed at this amount for a month.


I currently take 1/8 of a 37.50mg tablet = 4.66mg plus 1/4 of a 37.50mg tablet = 9.37mg.  4.66mg + 9.37mg = 14.03mg.  14.03mg + 14.03mg = 28.06mg for the day.


You can see this is MUCH EASIER on your system than going from 37.50mg to 25mg.


WHEN CUTTING YOUR PILLS  of differing milligrams, have some empty, clean, prescription bottles that are labeled (for example 4.66mg on one, 9.37mg on another, 6.25 mg on another, etc.) so that you don't get them mixed up.  As you cut smaller amounts it gets harder to distinguish what is what--the labeled bottles will keep you straight. Just be sure to put the correct amounts in the correct bottles!


BE SURE once you step down on a doseage that you remain at that amount for at least 3 weeks, preferably 4 weeks.  It will give your brain chemistry a time to adjust to the lower level of chemical serotonin.


DON'T BE SUPRISED as you get lower and lower on your dose that you may need more than 3-4 weeks to stablize; remember your brain is going through a HUGE change--give it the chance to even out.  It's not important how long it takes to taper from dose to dose, it matters that you take your time!


ALWAYS take Effexor with food in your stomach and drink plenty of water.


Do NOT eat or drink anything containing GRAPFRUIT, it can create a serious toxic reaction.


NEVER, EVER take St. John's Wort or 5-HTP--they have a serotonin in them.  Mixing them with an anti-depressant or taking then after you've been off of an anti-depressant for only a year of less can lead to SEROTONIN SYNDROME - a toxic and deadly condition.   Click on the following link to find out about it:  http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/serotonin-syndrome-ADF.htm

  

NEVER, EVER take Effexor or any anti-depressant every other day--withdrawal will start and you will never get back on an even keel.  I know, I know your doctor told you to do this, but MOST doctors are truely ignorant of the hell they are about to put you through doing this.  If you are currently on this program get back to taking your dose everyday and after you are stabilized you can start your tapering.


DO NOT try to detox your liver, kidneys, and the rest of your body while tapering; it will make withdrawal more difficult.


PLEASE TAKE THE TIME to visit these webpages; they have critical and very helpful information for tapering:

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/reaction.htm


http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/taper.htm


The best to everyone,
Sweettooth

[agingfast]

I am a 48 year old female who has been on Effexor for 2 years and wanting to get off.  I have been sick with the same cold, sinus infection, ear infection, sore neck, stiff shoulder, fuzzy eyesight for 4 weeks.  I was treated with 2 prescriptions of antibiotics for sinus infection and then they thought I had a possible ear infection.  At any rate I didn't get out of bed to take my Effexor on a regular basis so maybe I was having some withdrawal symptoms at the same time.  I can only describe my feeling that I get when I don't take it as a kind of fuzzy feeling throughout my entire body.  It just feels strange.  And I don't to often like to get too far away from home because I feel like just lying down whereever I may be.  I just got back from the health food store because I am goig to try the LTheatine like another Effexor user recommended.  My biggest problems that I have experienced while on Effexor have been weight gain that won't go away no matter how hard I try.  My memory has been terrible.  I wake in the morning and I don't want to get out of bed and help my daughter get off to school.  Then when I do get up I don't particularly get to the things that should be done.  It doesn't bother me if the bed doesnt get made or the dishes put in the dishwasher.  My husband asked me to type a one page document for him for business and i didn't do it for 6 weeks.  I could go on and on.  I am getting off and hopefully the L-Theanine will help.

[mlthorny]

I've just recently discovered this board and have found many of your comments incredibly interesting and actually reassuring.  Over the past 8 years I've been on several SSRIs (zoloft, paxil(briefly), Celexa, Lexapro and finally Effexor for the past 3 years).  Over the past two years it has become clear to me that the medication was limiting my, creativity and ability to access my higher level cognitive functions.  I decided I needed to taper off the meds if I ever wanted to function at my full potential in life.  

The first time I tried to withdraw from Effexor was the most horrible experience of my life.  Along side all of the classic serotonin withdrawal symptoms came extreme anxiety for which there was no clear cause; insomnia, inability to eat, severe constipation, terrible nightmares, memory loss, significant reduction in my comprehension of just about any moderately complex issue.  I limped through life for over two months certain I had lost my mind and would never be normal again.  I saw counselors and a psychologist who did not see a connection between the cessation of Effexor and my mental state.  Ultimately I began taking the drug again and my state rapidly came back into balance.  I remained on the drug for six months until my wife became preganant, at which time I decided to stop the antidepressants in order to be at my best as a father.  

I am now 4+ months since discontinuing Effexor and they have been extremely trying and difficult times.  Work has been incredibly difficult, frustrating and confusing.  I have experienced terrible levels of unfounded anxiety for months on end.  The difference this time is a highly informed LCSW who has tought me effective behavioral modification techniques which include, breath work, meditation and "the work" as found in Byron Katies book "Loving What is".  I highly reccommend her techniques as a means to balance your thought processes when the anxiety comes on.  I don't attach to my thoughts, I calm my mind and bring it into harmony with my body this way.  Some times it is an ongoing process through the day, but it works for me.  

Even four months out, I continue to struggle with the effects of Effexor withdrawal syndrome.  Combining good and competent therapy with effective nutrition, excercise and behavioral modification techniques have brought me a long way. I feel I'm turning a corner in my life and reclaiming my intellectual and creative abilities.  More good days than bad now and hopes for a complete turn around over the next few months.

For those of you considering withdrawing from Effexor, know that it is difficult.  If you experience is anything like mine, be prepared for the fight of your life.  Remind yourself that the fear, anxiety, sadness, moodiness, agitation are not real but the products of thoughts brought on by a brain out of balance chemically.  Stay away from stimulants, caffeine and alcohol.  Excercise regularly and eat well and often, don't let your blood sugar levels drop, it makes things worse.  Don't overeat and watch your simple sugar intake.  It's literally mind over mind on this one folks.  You can find oversight within your own mind on what your brain is struggling with, you can separate reality from thought and you can make it through. Give your brain a chance to rebalance itself and you can do it.

[Nexus7]

I have been on Effexor XR for 3.5 years and I'm begginning to wane off of them.  I'm not quitting cold turkey.  I'm on 300mg daily and going to 150mg daily for the next 2 weeks.  Usually Doctors like another step between 300mg and 150mg, whether one is going up or down, but I'm being a little aggressive.  I want to see how I act without the meds and if I needed them in the first place, as I remember the Doctor giving me the meds rather hastily.  I have the side effects of excessive sweating and sexual side effects.  I also had the comment by multiple people that I'm somewhat 'distant' , 'blase' or 'nonchalant' about everything.  It was in fact a reason that my ex-girlfriend broke up with me.  I originally started taking the meds as a result of minor depression and anxiety disorder.  The effects of missing a dose can be rather disturbing as it feels like you are getting the flu or something.  One should not be amazed they feel like **** when quitting cold turkey.  I doing the prescribed method of stepping down.  My Doctor had no problem with me not taking.  Perhaps, just reducing the dose will make me feel more normal.  I'm not convinced the original Doctor I was seeing knew what the hell he was doing.  At any rate, I will post periodically to tell you my results.