Efexor (venlafaxine) increased dosage/tolerance

[claffy123]

Hi all, I have been on Efexor for about 10 years now, and it worked brilliantly for me for years, at 75mg. A couple of years ago, I started to feel the old symptoms returning (anxiety/depression), and so went back to the doctor to be assessed. The general view was that my body had probably developed a tolerance to the drug, and that I should increase the dosage to 150mg. That didn't seem to make a difference, so I went up to 225mg, which made a big difference and I am now well & happy. But now I wish I had swapped on to a lower dose of one that my body wasn't used to, rather than going up to such a high dose of the venlafaxine. I am wondering whether to try swapping over now (& I know that the withdrawal symptoms can be horrendous so would only do this very slowly)...but if I can't find anything else that works as well and need to go back on the Efexor, does anyone know whether I would have to go back at 225, or would the break from the drug "reset my body"' to only need 75mg, like it used to? TIA

Not sure I’d switch if it’s effective. I’m on 375mg daily aswell as a total dose of 350mg Quetiapine throughout the day. I wouldn’t and don’t worry about the actual dose as we are all different and need to take what works

Thank you Grumpbum - I just wonder whether I am unnecessarily putting high dosages of a drug into my body when a lower dose of something else might work just as well...but maybe it doesn't work like that?

In my experience I’ve needed higher doses of different drugs for example I was on 100mg Sertraline and switched to Venlafaxine 75mg and I went down hill so upped to 150mg which was ok for a short while and then dose increased as needed

Hi OP - perhaps ask at your next appointment your concerns. Is Effexor the first only AD you've tried?
I recently upped my dosage of Effexor after a difficult period. I made an appointment with the intention to switch but my gp felt it made more sense to increase dosage, since we already knew I responded well to it.

I was on 225mg and after about two years, I was able to reduce the dose. I don't recommend swapping to a different medication if this is working for you. You won't be on it forever. I find depression and anxiety is like a wave, ebbs and rises and ebbs again. I did find I sweat less on the lower dose. I'm on 150mg now. I was on 75mg and would like to get back there. But my mental health is more important than my weight. I did put on weight.

Yes, I think you're probably right not to switch everyone. Thank you