Effexor Detox, Signs, Symptoms, Withdrawal, Medical Detox, Dangers of Detoxing at Home & Treatment Options

Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. It may improve your mood and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is a well-known and accepted syndrome that can occur in people who abruptly discontinue Effexor (venlafaxine), a type of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.

Within a matter of hours of missing a dose, some people begin to experience symptoms of Effexor withdrawal. Because of this, healthcare providers often recommend starting on the medication by building up from a low dose and decreasing the dosage when weaning from the drug. Still, symptoms of withdrawal can occur even if the medication is slowly tapered off. Effexor detox may be needed.

Some people report experiencing “brain shivers” or “brain zaps” when they are late taking their prescribed dose of Effexor. People often describe these sensations as a very brief, repetitive electric shock-like feeling that remains confined to the brain or head. Others report the sensation spreads out to other parts of the body. The sensation can be triggered by moving your eyes and is often accompanied by disorientation, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, and/or lightheadedness.

• Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, muscle pain, nausea)
• Headache
• Imbalance
• Nausea
• Sweating

• Restlessness
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal sensory disturbances
• Dizziness

• Nightmares or excessive dreams
• Problems with concentration
• Anxiety or worsening of depression
• Confusion

• Narcolepsy (short-lived)
• Cataplexy (loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotion)
• Psychosis

• Team up with your doctor. They are your best ally when it comes to preventing and coping with symptoms of withdrawal. Discuss the benefits and risks of stopping Effexor and work together to figure out how (and when) to slowly stop taking the drug.
• Ask about OTC medications. Consult your doctor about any over-the-counter medications that can help ease Effexor withdrawal; for example, sleep aids, anti-nausea medications, and pain relievers.
• Consider psychotherapy. According to investigators at Harvard Medical School, undergoing psychotherapy while discontinuing an antidepressant can decrease your risk of having a relapse.

• Seek support. Consider asking a close friend or family member for support and let them know what to expect as you work with your doctor to wean off the drug.
• Keep up with follow-ups. It’s important to keep in touch with your healthcare provider as you are weaning from the drug as well as after you’ve stopped altogether. Depending on how you feel, you may need to book ongoing monthly check-ins until discontinuation symptoms have eased and there are no signs of relapse.
• Practice self-care. As you are going through withdrawal, it’s more important than ever to exercise, eat healthfully, get regular sleep, and practice stress management. These acts of self-care can help keep your mood stable as you taper off Effexor. 

1. Stay on Schedule: If you forget to take your Effexor dose, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. If you are out of refills on your Effexor and have run out of medication, ask your pharmacy if they can give you an emergency supply to give you time to contact your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms of Effexor can be reduced by getting back on track with your usual dosing schedule as soon as possible. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have other questions about missing Effexor doses.
2. Taper Schedule: The duration of withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person. To avoid this, you should work with your doctor to taper your Effexor dose over a month or more.
   • For short-acting Effexor: a sample taper includes a 75 mg dose reduction every four days and a subsequent 25 mg dose reduction every 5 to 7 days for a final dose of 25–50 mg. Generally, the drug can be discontinued at that time.
   • For long-acting Effexor: a sample taper is a decrease of 37.5–75 mg weekly for a final dose of 37.5 mg before stopping the drug.

When you’ve decided to stop taking your antidepressant, it might be tempting to toss out your medication. Instead, take your time and work with your doctor to gradually decrease your dose over an extended period. How you’ll do this will depend on several factors, including:

• How long you’ve been taking the drug
• Your current dose (if you’re on a low dose, you’ll be able to taper off more quickly)
• Past experience with withdrawal symptoms
• Overall health

Sometimes, even if you are slow and deliberate when weaning off an antidepressant, you still may experience symptoms of discontinuation syndrome. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe fluoxetine, which has been found to help ease discontinuation symptoms.