Do you have to be weaned off of antidepressants?

Answer 1

This depends on what you are weaning yourself off of. Generally if it is an opiate (pain medication), a benzo (like xanax or valium) or an anti-depressant you can wean yourself easily within one week by doing the following. Day one reduce your intake of the medication by 25%. Meaning take a quarter less than you would normally. Do the same on day two. This may mean cutting pills into halves or quarters depending on what your taking and what dose you are on. On day three you should only be taking 50% of the dose you started on. Do the same again on day four. On day five you need to be down to taking only 25% of the dosage you started at. On day six if your body feels no withdrawl then you've accomplished your goal and you don't need to take anything further. For some people their body may react different due to prolonged use of the drug and in these cases on the sixth day if you still feel a slight withdrawl you will need to take 10 to 20% of the original dosage you started out with. Like I stated earlier this will/may require cutting pills into halves, quarters or even smaller. On day seven you will feel completely normal physically. There will be no more need for the med. However, in my experience my patients many times still have a psychological addiction to the drug. I seriously suggest seeking help from a counselor if you still feel the need to use the drug after the 7 day withdrawl period. In fact, I highly suggest talking to your physician about weaning off before you do anything. He/She can help in many ways. Much more than doing it yourself. I do understand that many patients will not see a physician for this due to the stigma attached to the problem. I have given you the best way to withdrawl comfortably should you choose to do this yourself. You will still be able to perform your normal daily functions without feeling any withdrawl this way. I wish you the best of luck in staying free of whatever you've been taking or using. Seek out help with a counselor afterward if you're having trouble being tricked by your mind into thinking you still are having withdrawls. The mind is a very powerful thing and can make you feel the need for the drug long after you're done weaning. I truly hope you succeed. Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes, you do. Even at small doses, this medicine has strong effects. Do this after discussion with your doctor. Even though you may feel better now, you may need the antidepressant to maintain your quality of life and not relapse.

Answer 3

It's not advisable. If done improperly, you can experience very bad side effects including but not limited to extreme suicidal thoughts.

Answer 4

Go on slowly tapering the dose of venlafaxine over a period of one month. If symptoms restart or increase stop weaning and take proper dose or run to the doctor.