Venlafaxine is an antidepressants that is used to treat millions of people in the United States.Doctors prescribe effexor to treat depression, anxiety disorders and panic disorder.It is important to follow your doctor's instructions for taking Effexor.The time you and your doctor decide to stop taking the drug is included.By gradually reducing your dose, you can stop taking the drug.
Step 1: See your doctor.
It's important to talk to your doctor before taking a substance.If you feel that you should stop taking the drug, you need to talk to your doctor.It is possible to feel better or even need to stop taking the pills because of a condition, but going cold turkey can have serious consequences.Talking to your doctor can help you make an informed decision.Until you speak to your doctor, don't stop or stop and stop.Continue to follow the instructions your doctor gave you.Tell your doctor why you want to stop using the drug.If you are completely honest with your reasons, your doctor can consider the best treatment options for you.You may have a variety of reasons why you want to stop taking the drug.Make sure you listen to your doctor.If you have them, ask questions about the benefits and risks of stopping the drug, as well as if there are alternatives to the doctor's suggestions.If you need a second opinion, you can always get it.
Step 2: Give yourself some time.
No matter how long you have been taking the drug, give yourself plenty of time to stop.It is tempting to stop altogether, but it can cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel worse.You need to give yourself at least one week to stop taking the drug.Your doctor can give you a rough estimate of the amount of time you need to stop taking the drug.
Step 3: Plan how you're going to stop.
Slowly, you will need to reduce your dosage.There are no hard and fast rules of how to plan your taper other than to work with your doctor to tailor it to you and your body.Depending on factors such as how you feel and your withdrawal symptoms, how much you reduce your doses and the interval at which you do so can vary a lot.If it's feasible for you, talk to your doctor about your plan.If you only took the medication for eight weeks, you should take one to two weeks to stop taking it.You should wait at least one week between dose reductions if you have been on the drug for six to eight months.For those on the drug for maintenance, it's best to slow down a bit.Don't reduce the dose by more than 14 every four to six weeks.You can write your plan in a notebook or on a sheet of paper.You can write a plan that says, for example, starting dose: 300mg, 1st reduction:225, 2nd: 150, 3rd: 75, and 4th: 37.5mg.
Step 4: You can split your pills.
Once you have a plan and speak with your doctor, you need to make sure that your dose is right.If you want to split your pills yourself, you can either use a pill splitter or have your doctor prescribe a specifically dosed pill.If you are taking Effexor, you need to switch to regular.The mechanism by which the medication is released is affected if the pill is cut in half.Too much will be released at once and it is possible to overdose.You can get a pill splitter from a pharmacy.If you need to split your pills, ask the staff if the product will fit your needs.
Step 5: You should monitor yourself.
As you reduce your dose, it is important to monitor your moods and physical symptoms.You might want to make a weekly assessment of how you are feeling.If you should go off the drug gradually, this can alert you to possible problems.A weekly diary is part of your plan.You should note how you are feeling.If you have few withdrawal symptoms and are feeling good, you can continue to stop.If you want to prevent possible withdrawal symptoms, don't accelerate your plan.It's a good idea to keep amood calendar for each day of the week.You can rate how your mood is on a scale from 1-10 daily in order to identify problems or recognize patterns in your symptoms with dose reductions.
Step 6: If necessary, stop the taper.
Stop the taper if your symptoms get worse or you experience severe withdrawal.When you feel better, you can add back half your dose.Reducing your doses at a smaller rate is possible at that point.
Step 7: Stay in contact with your doctor.
It is important to keep your doctor up to date on your progress during the withdrawal process.If you experience withdrawal, let your doctor know.A new plan or alternative treatments may be suggested by your doctor.If you can't get off Effexor, your doctor may switch you to fluoxetine.You don't have to experience the withdrawal symptoms when you stop using fluoxetine.
Step 8: Take into account the symptoms of withdrawal.
Venlafaxine has a high rate of people experiencing withdrawal.You may or may not experience symptoms as you reduce your dose, but it is important to know what symptoms are typical of withdrawal.If you have any of the following symptoms, ask your doctor about different ways to ease them.
Step 9: Get help immediately.
If you experience continued depression or have suicidal thoughts, you should call your doctor or go to the hospital as soon as possible.Doctors can help relieve the symptoms.
Step 10: Seek help.
You will need as much support as you can get.This can help you deal with withdrawal symptoms.Keep in touch with your doctor about your progress.You may want to see a Psychiatrist or psychologist as an alternative form of therapy to help you out while you stop the drug.This can help minimize symptoms and give you new ways to deal with them.Let your family and friends know that you are stopping the drug.Let them know how they can help.If necessary, take some time off of work.Tell your boss about your condition.If you cannot take off any time, ask your boss how you can help.
Step 11: Stay active.
Serotonin can be produced by exercise and can have a powerful effect.It is possible to compensate for medication by exercising.This can help manage withdrawal symptoms and keep you feeling good.For each week, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity.Your mood can be boosted by exercising such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking.If you want to contribute to your weekly exercise total but also improve your mood and relax, try yoga or Pilates.
Step 12: It's a good idea to eat healthy food.
It is possible to increase the effects of exercise and rest by eating a healthy diet.It is possible to keep your blood sugar stable by having regular meals that are based around the five food groups.There are five food groups.You can choose fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy.At each meal, try to make at least half of your plate vegetables.It's possible to control anxiety by eating more magnesium-rich foods.Almonds, black beans, salmon, halibut, oysters, peanuts, and brown rice are some of the foods high in magnesium.
Step 13: Take care of stress.
It is important to manage stress as much as possible.Stress can cause withdrawal symptoms to get worse.It's a good idea to avoid stress whenever possible.Taking deep breaths and excusing yourself occasionally to use the bathroom or take a call can help minimize stress.Allow yourself to get a massage.
Step 14: Rest as much as possible.
There are a lot of withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when stopping Effexor.Getting enough rest is a part of keeping yourself well.If you want to feel better, you should be able to take naps and have a regular sleep schedule.Go to bed and wake up at the same time.You should get at least seven hours of sleep.It's a good idea to keep your schedule during the weekends.Take naps of 20 to 30 minutes.These can refresh you.