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I Have Been In Effexor For 3.5 Years, Low Doze

Posted on Thu, 2 Apr 2020

Question: I have been in Effexor for 3.5 years, low doze of 37.5 for anxiety and depression. I am now having to have half of my thyroid removed next month which could be cancer. Would like to discontinue taking Effexor before surgery. What’s the safest way to do this?

Answered by Dr. Soujanya (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
My suggestion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ask a doctor service,

I have gone through your query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your medicine.

Actually, the dose of effexor you are on is very less.

So, if you have instructions to discontinue by your surgeon , then you may do that, otherwise not required.

You can taper half the dose in three days and then stop .

Hope this information would help you.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Soujanya (5 hours later)

Thank you. The Effexor I’m taking are caplets which can’t be cut in half. Plus, Effexor has harsh withdrawals. It is advised to not stop taking these cold turkey. Effexor is a “s n r i”. What’s a safer drug in this same family? I don’t know if you understand how harsh the withdrawals are from Effexor.

Answered by Dr. Soujanya (34 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can substitute with duloxetine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,

I have gone through your follow up query and can certainly understand your concern towards withdrawal of effexor xr.

You can substitute effexor with duloxetine which is an another effective SNRI.

hope this information would help you.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Soujanya (2 hours later)

Thank you Doctor. I spoke to my own doctor today and his recommendation is to Take Zoloft 50 mg and then along with that keep taking Effexor but only every other day for the first week. And then for the second week just keep taking the Zoloft. Apparently he has other patients that have done very well on Zoloft. However Zoloft is not a
S n r I but In another family. Is his recommendation Safe?

Answered by Dr. Soujanya (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
My suggestion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,

Yes, you can take Zoloft as per the advise of your doctor as it would give good results in some patients.

But, some people may not be able to tolerate.

Anyway, there is nothing wrong in giving s trial as if you are not comfortable, it can be switched to some other drug.

Hope this information would help you.
Thank you.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana