Withdrawal from effexor

Pro Research Analysisby

Searched over 200M research papers

Analyzed relevant papers

Withdrawal from Effexor: Symptoms and Management

Effexor (venlafaxine) is a commonly prescribed antidepressant that belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. While effective for treating depression and anxiety, discontinuing Effexor can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can be challenging for patients.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms of Effexor

Patients discontinuing Effexor may experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, and irritability. In some cases, more severe symptoms such as sensory disturbances (often described as "brain zaps"), insomnia, and flu-like symptoms can occur 24.

Severe Withdrawal Reactions

In rare instances, withdrawal from Effexor can present with severe symptoms that mimic other medical conditions. For example, there have been reports of withdrawal symptoms presenting as stroke-like symptoms, which can be alarming for both patients and healthcare providers . Additionally, some patients have reported significant withdrawal reactions that necessitated medical intervention .

Managing Effexor Withdrawal

To minimize withdrawal symptoms, it is generally recommended to taper off Effexor gradually rather than stopping abruptly. This gradual reduction allows the body to adjust to lower levels of the medication, reducing the intensity of withdrawal symptoms . Healthcare providers often create a tapering schedule tailored to the individual needs of the patient, which can help manage and mitigate withdrawal effects.

Conclusion

Withdrawal from Effexor can be a challenging process due to the range of symptoms that can occur. Understanding these symptoms and working closely with a healthcare provider to taper off the medication gradually can help manage and reduce withdrawal effects. If severe symptoms occur, it is important to seek medical advice promptly to ensure appropriate care and support.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Selective Immediate Hypersensitivity to Clavulanic Acid

Selective immediate hypersensitivity to clavulanic acid may occur in patients with known hypersensitivity to venlafaxine, a common antidepressant.

2003·

21citations

·N. Raison-Peyron et al.

Etrank: a ranking procedure for handling missing data in clinical trials: application to venlafaxine extended-release depression clinical trial.

ETRANK is a statistical software that effectively analyzes incomplete repeated measures data in clinical trials, outperforming SAS PROC MIXED and GEE.

1996·

10citations

·R. Entsuah

Successful Discontinuation of Chronic Polypsychotropic Regimen and Resolution of Withdrawal Syndrome Through Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions: A Case Report.

Lifestyle interventions and psychospiritual support can enable dramatic clinical change without withdrawal syndrome after discontinuing medication, with meditation potentially being necessary for root-cause healing.

Case Report

2019·

1citation

·K. Brogan et al.

Antidepressant withdrawal – the tide is finally turning

Antidepressant withdrawal reactions are common, often severe, and may last for weeks to months, challenging the long-held belief that they are mild and resolve spontaneously within 2 weeks.

Systematic Review

2019·

30citations

·M. Hengartner et al.

Venlafaxine hydrochloride (EffexorTM) relieves thermal hyperalgesia in rats with an experimental mononeuropathy 1 1 This study was presented in abstract form at the 1995 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Atlanta, Georgia.

Venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor) effectively relieves thermal hyperalgesia in rats with neuropathic pain due to chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve, without causing sedation.

RCTAnimal Study

1996·

69citations

·E. Lang et al.

Post-marketing withdrawal of 462 medicinal products because of adverse drug reactions: a systematic review of the world literature

Post-marketing withdrawals of medicinal products due to adverse reactions are inconsistent across countries, with Africa being less likely to have such withdrawals.

Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2016·

452citations

·I. Onakpoya et al.

Analyse this

Anti-depressant drugs may increase suicidal thoughts in children, triggering renewed concerns about their safety and effectiveness in treating depression.

2003·

1citation

·Vicki Brower

Transient Exposure of Endothelial Cells to Doxorubicin Leads to Long-Lasting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Downregulation

Short-term exposure to Doxorubicin leads to long-lasting VEGFR2 downregulation in endothelial cells, causing permanent damage and senescence.

In Vitro Study

2022·

18citations

·Silvia Graziani et al.

CNS volume 6 issue 9 Cover and Back matter

Effexor XR is contraindicated for use in patients taking MAOIs and should not be used within 14 days of discontinuing MAOI treatment.

2001·

0citations

·Venlafaxine HCl

Acute and Persistent Withdrawal Syndromes Following Discontinuation of Psychotropic Medications

Discontinuing psychotropic medications can cause severe and persistent withdrawal symptoms, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antipsychotics being particularly risky.

Literature ReviewHighly Cited

2020·

157citations

·F. Cosci et al.

Try another search

how can we stop climate change

why is gabapentin so deadly

how many moons are there

sickle cell gene therapy

voyager news

the universe earth