What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Effexor?
Very little research has been done on long term effects of SNRIs, although medical consensus is clear that due to dependency issues, withdrawal from antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs in general should be slow and gradual. According to the work of Justin Gagnon et al published in the Frontiers Journal of Nutrition, the amount of research that has been done on antidepressants in general is disproportionate with the very high frequency of prescribing them.
That said, one clinical report published in Nature documented a patient who developed glaucoma issues after one day of treatment with venlafaxine. The pain and pressure went away when Effexor was discontinued. The FDA label cautions those with diabetes, bleeding issues, bipolar, heart conditions, thyroid issues, and many other conditions about taking Effexor, but it doesn’t stipulate why exactly. Although there are not many cases studying the long-term effects of Effexor and other newer antidepressants/anti-anxiety drugs, the issues that accompany difficult withdrawals from them have been shown comparable to those of the benzo class, known for its crushing and lingering after effects. The pharmaceutical industry has turned away from such trials and focused instead on finding better new drug formulations.(1,8,9,10)
Can I Stop Taking Effexor Cold Turkey?
The FDA warns against discontinuing venlafaxine all at once. Since Effexor XR is an extended release drug, it is best to work with medical oversight who can help you with accurately reducing the dosage, or converting to a different formulation to help ease the shock to the body. Become familiar with the risk factors and symptoms you may experience before gradually removing Effexor from your routine altogether. Some people have milder symptoms than others, some experience debilitating and ruinous withdrawals.12
The withdrawal effects may include:
- Anxiety, agitation
- Suicidality, worsening of depression
- Dizziness, vertigo, imbalance
- Hallucination, delusion, delirium, catatonia
- Gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, disturbed appetite
- Headaches, muscle aches and pains
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Insomnia, nightmares
- Blurred vision or other vision disturbance
- Paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin)
- Electric-shock sensations, “brain zaps”
- Tremors, jerks, Parkinsonism
SNRI withdrawal syndrome 12 is a common experience for anyone with a moderate to severe drug dependency. It is important to bear in mind that each individual has a unique body chemistry, and thus their withdrawal symptoms will be largely specific to them. The withdrawal period may begin as soon as a day, or some hours after the last dosage, or sooner, especially if you have been taking immediate-release venlafaxine. Each individual’s metabolic and genetic factors will impact the rate of withdrawal.
It is strongly advised not to quit Effexor cold turkey since this can induce a state of shock and an overwhelming and impossible experience to endure without medical intervention. Implementing a tapering strategy with your doctors or choosing a prescriber who is familiar with Effexor withdrawal is strongly recommended. The holistic detox methods used at Alternative to Meds Center are particularly effective for Effexor withdrawal, which are provided in tandem with inpatient medical oversight to provide bridge medications and other medical and holistic interventions to soften the experience.
Medical consensus consistently recommends that tapering off of Effexor slowly can help reduce the negative symptoms one can experience when discontinuing use.
How Long Does It Take for Effexor to Get Out of Your System?
Effexor has two formulations: immediate-release and extended-release. The half-life is calculated based on various factors including the drug’s formulation, condition of the liver and kidneys, genetics, and other factors and can range from 4-21 hours.11
Can Venlafaxine show up on a drug test?
Yes, Effexor can appear on both screening tests and confirmatory tests. Confirmatory tests will differentiate Venlafaxine from other medications. There are several different kinds of tests that are used. For example, Effexor will appear on a urine test if administered in the past 48 hours. Effexor can also be detected from a blood test within three days of intake, and a hair follicle test can be detected up to 16 months later.
Individual factors do play a key role in test results, such as:
Age: Age-related factors, such as slowed metabolism from liver disease can prolong the time it takes for Effexor to clear your system.
Patient’s Body Mass Index and Metabolism: An individual’s body mass index may impact the rate of medication metabolism and excretion. A study published in the Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology found patients with a higher BMI cleared medication more slowly than those with a lower BMI. However, another study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacokinetics showed that genetics can also contribute to a slowed or elevated clearing rate, (see next section) despite other factors such as obesity.(13,14)
Genetics: A person with poor metabolism functions might have a lengthier removal time. Research out of The National Center for Biotechnology Information described patients who carry two inactive copies of CYP2D6 (Cytochrome P450 2D6, an enzyme that helps break down drugs) who were reported as “poor metabolizers.” They may experience decreased capacity for (slower) metabolization of the substance. However, individuals with more than two copies of functional CYP2D6 are considered “ultrarapid metabolizers” and may have a much faster rate of metabolism.15
Renal And Hepatic Functions: A patient suffering from hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis or dysfunctional kidneys typically retains the Effexor in their body longer because the affected organs are not able to metabolize and clear the drug as quickly compared to healthy organ functions.
PH Of Urine: A low PH of urine will accelerate the removal of the drug. High PH of urine (alkaline urine) would aid in venlafaxine reabsorption, allowing the body to retain more of the medication compared to more acidic urine.
Dose Taken: A person who regularly takes low doses of Effexor could metabolize and excrete it more quickly than someone taking a higher dosage.
Incorporating other drugs: Mixing Effexor with any kind of antidepressant can affect serotonin concentration in the body to dangerous levels, which can be lethal. Harmful and sometimes life-threatening drug-to-drug interactions and CNS depression can happen when venlafaxine is combined with lithium, St.John’s Wort, alcohol, opiates, or other psychoactive agents.5
How Do I Wean Off of Effexor?
The process of weaning off Effexor should be monitored by a medical professional familiar with coming off antidepressants. The process might seem meticulous, but slowly tapering off of the medication will help aid in a safe recovery, reducing the associated symptoms, and shortening the length of time that symptoms may linger.
Introducing a taper schedule will vary from person to person, so taper plans will depend on several factors like dosage, frequency of use, and how long the drug was taken. You can find examples of tapering guidelines and helpful therapies by referring to ATMC’s Effexor Tapering page.
If you’re looking to detox from Effexor, remember that there are many factors in the weaning process for any drug, and if not well-managed, the side effects of antidepressants can be severe. Safe detoxification could look like a well-curated out-patient prescription plan or a supervised inpatient detoxification setting.
Though the journey of removing substances from your system can be a difficult one, the professionals at Alternative to Meds Center are here to help make the holistic detox process exponentially more bearable.
Contact us today to discuss your situation and take the first step into your new healthy, Effexor free life.
Receptors for serotonin are found everywhere in the body, as well as inside the CNS and brain. Serotonin is a master hormone whose function is to regulate nearly every behavioral and physiological function in the human body including mood, sleep, digestion, appetite, blood flow, perception, memory, addiction, sexuality, body temperature, motor control, among many, many others.5
