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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AmyL on July 25, 2001, at 23:15:46
Hi all,
I've been on Effexor XR 300mg (1x/day) for abour 4 months now and am feeling super. Although I do still need the AD effects, I'd like to decrease my dose VERY slowly because I really don't need that strong of a dose anymore. Do I open the capsules and count the granules or what? Has anyone done that and at what rate did they go down? I'm not in any rush at all--I'm very cautious at this point. I'd like some input on how many granules is acceptable? I'm going to see my pdoc in a few weeks and would like some ideas to present to her...
thanks so much in advance!
Amy
Posted by Cindylou on July 26, 2001, at 7:01:48
In reply to first step in weaning off of effexor xr 300mg?, posted by AmyL on July 25, 2001, at 23:15:46
Hi,
I was on 150 mg of Effexor, and got off of it in two ways: First, yes I DID actaully open the capsule! I didn't actually count the granules, but I dumped out a tiny bit, did that for about a week, then dumped out more the next week, etc.But what was really helpful was having my pdoc prescribe the 25 mg. tablets -- they weren't sustained release, but I was able to wean more slowly and easily ...
just some suggestions,
good luck -
-cindy
> Hi all,
> I've been on Effexor XR 300mg (1x/day) for abour 4 months now and am feeling super. Although I do still need the AD effects, I'd like to decrease my dose VERY slowly because I really don't need that strong of a dose anymore. Do I open the capsules and count the granules or what? Has anyone done that and at what rate did they go down? I'm not in any rush at all--I'm very cautious at this point. I'd like some input on how many granules is acceptable? I'm going to see my pdoc in a few weeks and would like some ideas to present to her...
> thanks so much in advance!
> Amy
Posted by Jocor on July 26, 2001, at 7:03:50
In reply to first step in weaning off of effexor xr 300mg?, posted by AmyL on July 25, 2001, at 23:15:46
All evidence points to you staying on 300mg Effexor for at least 6 months after you are feeling the full effect. This is to reduce any relapse.
If you must decrease the Effexor ask your doctor to prescribe you some 37.5mg or 75mg capsules/tablets and you can decrease slowly this way. Opening the capsules is not accurate enough.I am switching back to Prozac after being on Effexor XR 300mg. I started last night by decreasing my Effexor dosage by 75mg. We'll see how it goes.
Good luck,
Jocor
Posted by girlie on July 26, 2001, at 9:48:33
In reply to first step in weaning off of effexor xr 300mg?, posted by AmyL on July 25, 2001, at 23:15:46
> Hi all,
> I've been on Effexor XR 300mg (1x/day) for abour 4 months now and am feeling super. Although I do still need the AD effects, I'd like to decrease my dose VERY slowly because I really don't need that strong of a dose anymore. Do I open the capsules and count the granules or what? Has anyone done that and at what rate did they go down? I'm not in any rush at all--I'm very cautious at this point. I'd like some input on how many granules is acceptable? I'm going to see my pdoc in a few weeks and would like some ideas to present to her...I am currently weaning off of 300mg, which I've been on for at least 3 years. My doctor had me go down 75mg/day to 225mg. It sucks, and there's no way around it. I tried to go down during a particularly stressful summer Master's program class I was taking. I thought I was going to die! I went back up until it was over, and then decreased again when things calmed down. That was 2-1/2 weeks ago.
I just saw my doc again yesterday because I've had so many ups and downs. We are keeping me at this level until after my wedding and honeymoon in October, and then I'm decreasing again. I have to get off of this stuff because I want to get pregnant.
Anyway, slowly is best, and let your body adjust to the lower level before going down again. It may take a week, it may take 2 or more. Just don't rush it or, from what I read, the withdrawls are even worse. Do stay in close touch with your doc!
girlie
Posted by jotho on July 26, 2001, at 12:49:46
In reply to first step in weaning off of effexor xr 300mg?, posted by AmyL on July 25, 2001, at 23:15:46
Hi Amy...the method I used (keyword here: I... this is not to suggest dosages or methods as such) was to simply purchase some gelatin capsules at the pharmacy, then, open a capsule (i was on 75mg Effexor XR) and divide it equally onto 8 spoons. I think visual comparison is a fairly reliable method if you are careful (they DO bounce). And i don't think being off several particles of product one way or the other is terribly important in light of the fact that i know of no one who has had their doctor adjust their dosage of 75mg. up by 1 or 2mg or down 1 or 2mg.(it is uaually "One pill didn't work? Ok, take two then, and see what happens.") I filled one new, empty gelatin capsules with what was now a 1/8 portion (one spoon) of the original capsule and placed the other 7 spoonfuls back into the original capsule. Now i could start my weaning period with a capsule containing 7/8th of a full dose. Next day. i took a full pill and emptied some into a spoon and compared/measured it to the 1/8th dosage in the gelatin capsule from the day before. I now ended up with two 1/8th dosages for later on in the weaning process and another 7/8th dosage for todays dosage. I hope this is not overly confusing and i'm sure some will argue my method as too crude and inaccurate but that is how i did it...1/8th less product for a week (or however long you need) then 1/4 less product (that's 2/8th if fractions are a problem) for a week or so, then 3/8th less product for a week or so...etc. etc.
This way i did not have to waste or throw away any product during the weaning process. I hope this helps somewhat.
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