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What Are The Side Effects Of Stopping Venlafaxine?
I am currently on 150mg venlafaxine and have been for 5 months but have had horrid side effects so my doctor has given me mirtazapine 30mg and advised me to do a straight change. Could you advise if this is safe to do as I have heard that stopping venlafaxine suddenly can be pretty nasty.
Mon, 16 Mar 2020
Hi,
Venlafaxine can produce 'discontinuation syndrome' if stopped suddenly. If you stop taking venlafaxine suddenly, it can cause 'discontinuation syndrome' characterized by anxiety, vertigo, dystonias (abnormal movements like torticollis), tremors, fatigue and irritability.
Hence, it is not safe to do so.
If you wish to switch over to mirtazapine from venlafaxine I would like to suggest the gradual reduction of dose of venlafaxine as follows:
One day before actually starting mirtazapine, reduce dose of venlafaxine to 75 mg
On day-1, further reduce the dose of venlafaxine from 75 mg to 37.5 mg and simultaneously start taking mirtazapine in a dose of 15 mg/day
Continue reducing the dose of venlafaxine by 50% every day and taking Mirtazapine 15 mg every day
Then on day-8, stop taking venlafaxine and continue taking mirtazapine only in a dose of 30 mg/day.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
Venlafaxine can produce 'discontinuation syndrome' if stopped suddenly. If you stop taking venlafaxine suddenly, it can cause 'discontinuation syndrome' characterized by anxiety, vertigo, dystonias (abnormal movements like torticollis), tremors, fatigue and irritability.
Hence, it is not safe to do so.
If you wish to switch over to mirtazapine from venlafaxine I would like to suggest the gradual reduction of dose of venlafaxine as follows:
One day before actually starting mirtazapine, reduce dose of venlafaxine to 75 mg
On day-1, further reduce the dose of venlafaxine from 75 mg to 37.5 mg and simultaneously start taking mirtazapine in a dose of 15 mg/day
Continue reducing the dose of venlafaxine by 50% every day and taking Mirtazapine 15 mg every day
Then on day-8, stop taking venlafaxine and continue taking mirtazapine only in a dose of 30 mg/day.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
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