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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Effexor
A friend has been on effexor 37.5mg once daily for 3.5 weeks and finds it too sedating. She would like to switch to Prozac. Does she need to taper and for how long to get off the effexor? Also how long of a wash out period if any before taking prozac.
Tue, 16 Dec 2014
Hello
Welcome here.
Effexor can cause intolerable withdrawal symptoms some times if stopped abruptly.
There are two ways to stop it:
One is to go cold turkey. The withdrawals with this dose might not even occur or may be mild. These symptoms will fade iff in 5-7 days. Then she can switch to prozac.
Second is to start prozac simultaneously with effexor. Prozac will achieve its blood levels in 3-5 days. Then she can stop effexor. This will not cause withdrawals.
Any of the ways can be chosen but under her doctor's supervision.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Welcome here.
Effexor can cause intolerable withdrawal symptoms some times if stopped abruptly.
There are two ways to stop it:
One is to go cold turkey. The withdrawals with this dose might not even occur or may be mild. These symptoms will fade iff in 5-7 days. Then she can switch to prozac.
Second is to start prozac simultaneously with effexor. Prozac will achieve its blood levels in 3-5 days. Then she can stop effexor. This will not cause withdrawals.
Any of the ways can be chosen but under her doctor's supervision.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
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