How Long Does Effexor Withdrawal Last?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns & SymptomsCoping & ReliefWarningsLong-Term Treatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Signs & Symptoms

Coping & Relief

Warnings

Long-Term Treatment

Effexor (venlafaxine) withdrawal symptoms typically appear within 24 to 48 hours and go away within three weeks, but can last several months.During this time, you might feel nauseated, dizzy, short-tempered, confused, restless, and/or distracted.

Effexor withdrawal is a form ofantidepressant discontinuation syndrome, a well-known phenomenon that can occur in people who stop taking an antidepressant abruptly. Because of this, healthcare providers typically decrease the dosage gradually when stopping the medication is necessary; however, symptoms of withdrawal still can occur.

What to Know About Effexor

What Does Effexor Withdrawal Feel Like?

When decreasing or stopping an antidepressant, a neurochemical change takes place in the brain. As the brain readjusts to the new environment, symptoms of withdrawing from Effexor may include:

Flu-Like Symptoms When You Discontinue Antidepressants

Effexor Withdrawal ‘Brain Zaps’

Some people report experiencing ‘brain shivers’ or ‘brain zaps’ when they are late taking their prescribed dose of Effexor.People often describe these sensations as a very brief, repetitive electric shock-like feeling that remains confined to the brain or head.

There is no current evidence that suggests that brain shivers or brain zaps represent any danger. However, these electric shock-like sensations can cause you to become alarmed or worry and happen frequently enough to disrupt daily life or quality of life.

Coping & Relief for Effexor Withdrawal

Effexor withdrawal symptoms develop quickly, so if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from missing a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next scheduled dose, simply skip your missed dose and stick to your schedule.

While symptoms will typically go away in a few weeks, there are ways to make Effexor withdrawal more tolerable during this time. Here are a few steps to consider:

Effexor Withdrawal Warnings

Some Effexor withdrawal symptoms can cause disorientation, which can be dangerous when driving or operating heavy machinery. Although rare, stopping Effexor on your own can result in severe and frightening reactions.

If you or someone you love experiences any of the following symptoms, call 911 or seek medical help right away:

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you experience worsening anxiety or depression during withdrawal, and these symptoms last more than a month, it may mean you’re having a relapse and need ongoing mental health treatment. Talk to your care provider if you have any concerns.

Long-Term Treatment of Effexor (Venlafaxine) Withdrawal

When you’ve decided to stop taking your antidepressant, it might be tempting to toss out your medication. Instead, take your time and work with your physician togradually decrease your dose over an extended period of time.

How you’ll do this will depend on several factors, including:

Sometimes, even if you are slow and deliberate when weaning off an antidepressant, you still may experience symptoms. In these cases, your physician may prescribeProzac (fluoxetine), which has been found to help ease discontinuation symptoms.

Additional Resources

In addition to teaming up with your healthcare provider and asking a trusted family member or friend to help you through this period, you may find it helpful to reach out to others who are also going through Effexor withdrawal.

TheNational Association for Mental Illness (NAMI)and theAnxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)both offer online discussion groups where you can connect with others who may share similar experiences. You may also be able to find groups on Facebook, in which members can offer each other tips and support.

Takeaways

While Effexor withdrawal symptoms are rarely life-threatening, they can be uncomfortable and interfere with your daily life. The key to preventing withdrawal is totake your medication as prescribedand approach any dose changes under the close guidance of your physician.

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fava GA, Benasi G, Lucente M, Offidani E, Cosci F, Guidi J.Withdrawal symptoms after serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: Systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2018;87(4):195-203. doi:10.1159/000491524National Library of Medicine.Venlafaxine.Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.Papp A, Onton JA.Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(6):18m02311. doi:10.4088/PCC.18m02311U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Medication guide: Effexor XR.Wilson E, Lader M.A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2015;5(6):357-68. doi:10.1177/2045125315612334

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fava GA, Benasi G, Lucente M, Offidani E, Cosci F, Guidi J.Withdrawal symptoms after serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: Systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2018;87(4):195-203. doi:10.1159/000491524National Library of Medicine.Venlafaxine.Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.Papp A, Onton JA.Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(6):18m02311. doi:10.4088/PCC.18m02311U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Medication guide: Effexor XR.Wilson E, Lader M.A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2015;5(6):357-68. doi:10.1177/2045125315612334

Fava GA, Benasi G, Lucente M, Offidani E, Cosci F, Guidi J.Withdrawal symptoms after serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: Systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2018;87(4):195-203. doi:10.1159/000491524National Library of Medicine.Venlafaxine.Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.Papp A, Onton JA.Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(6):18m02311. doi:10.4088/PCC.18m02311U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Medication guide: Effexor XR.Wilson E, Lader M.A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2015;5(6):357-68. doi:10.1177/2045125315612334

National Library of Medicine.Venlafaxine.

Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.

Papp A, Onton JA.Brain zaps: An underappreciated symptom of antidepressant discontinuation.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(6):18m02311. doi:10.4088/PCC.18m02311

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Medication guide: Effexor XR.

Wilson E, Lader M.A review of the management of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2015;5(6):357-68. doi:10.1177/2045125315612334

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What Does Effexor Withdrawal Feel Like?#

Effexor Withdrawal ‘Brain Zaps’#

Coping & Relief for Effexor Withdrawal#

Effexor Withdrawal Warnings#

Long-Term Treatment of Effexor (Venlafaxine) Withdrawal#

Additional Resources#

Takeaways#