Effexor (venlafaxine) Withdrawal Symptoms
In addition to the side effects of Effexor or Effexor XR, there are adverse effects that can accompany Effexor withdrawal.
This collective set of Effexor withdrawal symptoms is often termed Effexor Discontinuation Syndrome. These discontinuation symptoms can be extreme and even life-threatening, especially where Effexor withdrawal is done abruptly or too quickly. However, it should be noted that these can occur even during a careful and gradual taper. It is highly recommended to seek medically assisted Effexor withdrawal treatment, and not try coming off the drug on one’s own.
Effexor withdrawal symptoms include:
- Brain zaps, feeling of electric shocks through the head and neck*
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches, migraines
- Flu-like symptoms, ie., fever, chills, cramps, diarrhea, etc.
- Insomnia
- Brain fog
- Anxiety
- Worsened depression
- Agitation
*Papp and Onton’s 2018 study on brain zaps noted concerns about the length of time that brain zaps can go on after antidepressant discontinuation.
How Long do Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The half-life of Effexor XR is anywhere from approximately 9 to 27 hours, and Effexor withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours of the last dose. The half-life is the time that it takes for half of the total ingested dose to be cleared from the body. This half-life period is often extended to suggest that it is equivalent to the time a person may experience the manifestations of withdrawal.
Each person’s individual metabolism and genetic factors that dictate metabolism, play a part in the rate of withdrawal. This can make it largely unpredictable to determine when the withdrawal is going to manifest when it will abate, and the severity. People with a more rapid metabolism may endure a sharper withdrawal. Effexor has a comparably short half-life for antidepressants, and as such can result in a typically more abrupt manifestation of withdrawal. Even though the half-life definition of withdrawal is measured by a number of hours, people often report a protracted withdrawal that can continue for weeks, months, or even years, especially where adequate preparations and support have not been made available in the process.
It is extremely important to bear in mind the FDA warning on stopping Effexor XR all at once. Abruptly discontinuing Effexor can introduce such a shock to the body that the withdrawals could be overwhelming and impossible to endure without medical intervention.
There are diet changes such as reducing sugar and caffeine that can be monitored during Effexor withdrawal treatment, as well as gentle exercise routines and organizing a daily schedule that allows for adequate rest and recuperation.
Discontinuing/Quitting Effexor (venlafaxine)
Can I stop Taking Effexor Cold Turkey?
The FDA has issued clear recommendations against stopping Effexor (venlafaxine) or Effexor XR too quickly and certainly warns against a “cold turkey” approach. To do so can lengthen the time needed to recover from quitting the drug. Always seek competent and professional Effexor withdrawal help.
When a person has been taking venlafaxine or any prescription drug for a period of time, the body begins compensating in many different ways that are not always obvious. Effexor addiction can be a result over time, as well as Effexor dependence. These factors of Effexor addiction and dependence can not be overlooked. Stopping Effexor after the body has become dependent on it can introduce such shock at such a rapid pace, that the change is profoundly unsettling, and can be life-threatening in some cases.
Never attempt to discontinue a drug suddenly. Always seek medical professional help and guidance before quitting Effexor (venlafaxine), Effexor XR, or any prescribed drug.
Did your doctor tell you about the Effexor side effects and withdrawal before prescribing the medications?
Effexor withdrawal is one of the most frequently asked about topics concerning medication treatment. Before embarking on a prescription of antidepressant medication such as Effexor, or Effexor XR, whether to treat depression, anxiety, or other conditions, any person should acquaint themselves as fully as possible with the various Effexor side effects and Effexor withdrawal symptoms before electing to begin medication treatment. This is also advised before starting Effexor tapering, as increased understanding can benefit the process substantially.
The FDA mandated in 2007 that Effexor packaging update the black box label on the packaging to warn consumers that the antidepressant drug Effexor should not be taken by anyone under the age of 25 years old due to studies that showed the drug caused a five-fold increase in suicidality. This may be a highly profitable reason for getting off Effexor.
The antidepressant drug Effexor (venlafaxine) was discontinued sometime after 1997, (exact data not available) when some trials showed that an extended-release version caused less nausea. No other trials or tests besides the nausea test can be found which indicates that the XR version has been proven any more or less safe than the original version of the drug.1
Effexor (venlafaxine) is thought to block certain neurotransmitters, described below, which causes an artificial though temporary effect. The effect increases in relation to the strength of the dosage. Effexor is classed as an SNRI drug and has unique characteristics that set it apart from other re-uptake inhibiting antidepressant drugs.
Some antidepressants increase the available amount of serotonin that is active in the body. Serotonin is what influences such things as anxiety, sleep, memory, aggression, learning, mood, appetite, body temperature, and other important functions. It is an inhibitory agent. Although serotonin is stimulating to certain digestive functions, it is inhibitory to the central nervous system.
Some antidepressants affect the adrenergic receptors, such as adrenaline and norepinephrine. These are excitatory neurotransmitters, which, among other necessary functions, regulates proper blood flow, regulates blood pressure, and stimulates other changes such as those related to “fight or flight” mechanisms.
Some antidepressant drugs can purge and suspend dopamine, which is often referred to as the reward chemical, or the agent which activates the pleasure centers in the body/brain as well as motor function, long term memory, mood and emotion, addiction reinforcement, laughter, and many other responses.
Effexor XR (venlafaxine extended-release) is highly unique in that it is one of a very small number of antidepressants in existence that are described as affecting reuptake of all three of these types of neurotransmitters concurrently, especially when taken at higher doses, causing a temporary surge of these agents in the body.2
Special warning letters and health alerts have been issued by the FDA to the makers of Effexor (now Effexor XR) since 2003 covering important health consequences including:
- Risk to pregnancy
- Birth defects and complications after birth
- Increased risk of bone fracture linked to decreased bone mineral density in older populations
- Suicidality in children and young adults
- Suicidality in adults
- Serotonin toxicity (see Serotonin Syndrome below)
- Overdose especially in connection with alcohol or other concurrent medications
- Cautions regarding stopping Effexor or Effexor XR abruptly.
We have described some of the important facts in more detail below for educational purposes. If you have additional questions, be sure to ask your care provider or another medical professional for further information so an informed decision can be made about your health and safety or that of a loved one.
Special Note: One of the important FDA warnings states not to abruptly stop Effexor XR but recommends tapering to decrease dosage gradually over time. More information on adverse effects of Effexor XR withdrawal and how to get off Effexor (venlafaxine) can be found further on in this article or calling Alternative to Meds Center directly.
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