Hi, I have been off and on Effexor for 5yrs now. The first time I stopped taking it I did it cold turkey what a BIG mistake!!! I had brain zapps, cold sweats, and dizziness for about 2 months! Not to mention suicidal thoughts big time! About 1 yr went by and I still had brain zapps at times. Over time I found the best way for me to get off the drug. I was taking 150 mg at the time by taking 2-75mg tablets.I started by taking 1-75 mg and 1-37.5 mg tablet. The next day 150 mg. Next day 1-75 mg and 1 37.5 again. I would do this for about 2 weeks. After 2 weeks I would drop down to 1 75 and 1 37.5mg. Next day 1 75mg for about 2 weeks. Then 1-75mg one day then 1-37.5 mg the next for 2 weeks. At last one 37.5mg one day and skip pill the next for 2 weeks. Everybody is different do what works best for you. You might need to down your dosage 3 or 4 weeks at a time instead of 2 weeks at a time. I really hopes this does some good for anyone taking Effexor. God Bless You

Effexor has a very short half life, so that's probably the reason for all the terrible withdrawal issues. I've been taking Effexor XR for at least 5 years. I've never felt the need to discontinue the medication, so I can't say I've been thru this. However I have experienced missing a dose probably because I misloaded my medication box, and this was a horrible experience! When I have needed to adjust the dose I have had to do it very slowly and carefully.