Deal With Effexor Withdrawal

Venlafaxine HCl (Effexor XR) is a Serotonin-Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medication commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, and in some cases, bipolar disorder. This article will tell you what you need to know in the event that you find yourself out of your medication and unable to obtain more right away. Effexor can cause serious discomfort for individuals who discontinue the drug abruptly, and in some cases, more serious problems can occur, so it is important to seek medical assistance right away if you accidentally run out.

Steps

 * 1)  Contact your pharmacy and inquire as to whether you have any refills left. If you do, all you may need to do is go over and pick up your new pills.
 * 2)  If you have no refills, contact your GP or psychiatrist immediately and let them know that you need a new prescription. Make an appointment for as soon as possible.
 * 3)  Get to the emergency room. If you are unable to get an appointment any sooner than 72 hours, it is advisable to go to the nearest emergency room. This may sound unnecessary, but Effexor's withdrawal symptoms can present as soon as 24 hours since a missed dose.
 * 4)  Once in triage, tell the nurse about your condition (what you are being treated for with Effexor,) how long it has been since your last dose, and what dosage you are on. Some nurses are unaware of how serious Effexor withdrawals can be, so be patient and explain to them that missed doses of this medication can cause you to become very ill.
 * 5)  Inform the doctor of when your next appointment with your GP/psychiatrist is, and he will write you out a smaller prescription that will hold you over until then. FILL THE PRESCRIPTION IMMEDIATELY.
 * 6)  If withdrawal symptoms have already started, stay cool, don't overexert yourself, keep well-hydrated, and rest as much as possible. At this point, if you have not been to the hospital, it is important that you find time to do so. Do not try to "stick it out" a few days until your appointment; depending on how high your dosage is and how long you've been taking Effexor, the symptoms can become quite severe and do not subside for days.

Tips

 * If you want to discontinue Effexor safely, speak with your doctor about it. You will be given pills containing smaller dosages and a schedule to follow. By taking progressively smaller doses (titrating,) you can safely wean yourself off of the drug with little difficulty.

Warnings

 * Sudden discontinuation of Effexor can cause tremors, dizziness, "brain zaps" (the feeling of electric shocks going through the brain,) and nausea. Some individuals are at risk of experiencing a stroke or cardiac event. For this reason, it is very important to seek assistance if you run out of your medication.
 * Do not EVER alter your dosage or discontinue Effexor or ANY medication without notifying your doctor.

Videos
Videos on Effexor - important viewing especially if you are thinking of having a child.

In Memory of Indiana

In Memory of Matthew Schultz

Effexor (Venlafaxine)