Venlafaxine

[Bogocz1]

Has anyone took a lower dose than 37.5mg of venlafaxine? I am trying to come of them and have a tapered plan from the doctor, I've got all the way down to 37.5mg but the withdrawals are too bad if I don't take them. I'm wondering if I can take a lower dose. They are capsules so I can't break them in half

Have you tried opening up the capsules? Inside my capsules there are a number of small tablets. I've been reducing one per week, but do take advice from your GP too.

I couldn't do it the way the GP suggested. I opened the capsules and removed one every two weeks and this worked for me without any withdrawal problems. I know it takes a long time but it is definitely worth doing it this way.

I also open the capsules and some of them have 3 mini pills inside, but others have absolutely loads!
I reduced down gradually -over a year of trying to come of just 37.5 like you. I now take one mini pill every other day. I still notice when I miss one of them.
I have found the ordeal of taking and coming off these tablets an absolute nightmare. Reducing this way, was the only thing I could cope with.
Good luck, you’ll be fine.

I had a lovely doctor who got it made up for me in liquid form (it's quite expensive but I fought quite hard for it). Makes it easier to get down to a tiny dose. Even doing that I still had really bad withdrawals, so I cross tapered by going on a small dose of sertraline, stopping the venlafaxine and then stopping the sertraline. Got there in the end!

Maybe ask the doctor about taking a 37.5 on alternative days for a while?

I didn't taper off this and the withdrawal was insane so I know how you feel.

It doesn't come in a smaller dose, but they do a tablet which can probably be halved which might be easier than opening up a capsule

Alternatively speak to your GP about taking it every other day

I took that dose for two weeks and then stopped. I got a herbal remedy from a medical herbalist to help but it was still horrific. I also needed a counseling session each week and still do. I’m now 6 weeks completely off them. It took 12 months to wean from 300mg. I did stop the wean for about 5 months at 75mg.

How long are you off them now and how are you doing.?

I've been off them 10 ish years. For me it was essential to have good psychological therapy to help me learn tools and techniques to manage occasional peaks in anxiety and low mood. I'm doing well though.

It's available in tablet form, switch and take half perhaps. Dp went down to every other day but then circumstances chances and he upped his dose back to 75mg

I also meant to add that there is a website called 'The Withdrawal Project' that has loads of useful information about to manage the different symptoms of withdrawal. These vary for everyone but mine were severe and made me want to just go back on the medication to make them go away, which I think is a common experience.

Like the others have said, twist the capsules open and take one of the mini tablets out. Do that until things stabilise, then take out another one.

The other option is to extend the time between doses so you take one every 36 hours, then once stable 48 hours etc. I didn't like this way as its hard to keep track. The first way is much easier.

Thanks everyone, I've done the opening capsule option and I'm down to half off one of the little tablets inside the capsule. Going to keep doing that for a bit and then try stopping.