I read with intense interest your article regarding the syndrome
associated with withdrawal of Venlafaxine. The article answered some
rather pressing questions as to why I was experiencing a plethora of
rather horrid symptoms.I have been on this medication 300mg/day for approx
6 months, and a lower dosage (175mg) generally for the last 5 years.
I experience occasional breakthrough depressive symptoms which seem
related to daylight changes-occurring in autumn and abating in spring. The
symptoms are at their worst in December-February. It is at these times
when my dosage is increased, to a maximum of 300mg. When I drop back down
in Spring to a lower dosage I experience the withdrawal affects, albeit to
a lesser degree than that I imagine would occur should I withdraw
completely from the medication. The most troubling symptoms seem to be
fluctuating blood pressure-flushing,tachycardia and sweating. I have
suffered the gamut of recorded symptomatology though except for
fasciculation. I suspect this medication has a sufficiently short half-
life in-vivo that even 1 dose missed can cause the syndrome.
Of interest to me was that at no time has any General Practitioner (or
Psychiatrist for that matter) ever mentioned the possibility of these
affects, in fact, I noted them to my most recent Physician, and he
researched the issue from there for his own knowledge. Fairly scary if one
doesn't know whats going on.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
26 March 2008
Robert R. Baker
Social Work
Ministry For Children and Family Development 34-3412 Kalum St. Terrace, BC Canada V8G4T2
Rapid Response:
Withdrawal Syndrome-Venlafaxine ER
I read with intense interest your article regarding the syndrome
associated with withdrawal of Venlafaxine. The article answered some
rather pressing questions as to why I was experiencing a plethora of
rather horrid symptoms.I have been on this medication 300mg/day for approx
6 months, and a lower dosage (175mg) generally for the last 5 years.
I experience occasional breakthrough depressive symptoms which seem
related to daylight changes-occurring in autumn and abating in spring. The
symptoms are at their worst in December-February. It is at these times
when my dosage is increased, to a maximum of 300mg. When I drop back down
in Spring to a lower dosage I experience the withdrawal affects, albeit to
a lesser degree than that I imagine would occur should I withdraw
completely from the medication. The most troubling symptoms seem to be
fluctuating blood pressure-flushing,tachycardia and sweating. I have
suffered the gamut of recorded symptomatology though except for
fasciculation. I suspect this medication has a sufficiently short half-
life in-vivo that even 1 dose missed can cause the syndrome.
Of interest to me was that at no time has any General Practitioner (or
Psychiatrist for that matter) ever mentioned the possibility of these
affects, in fact, I noted them to my most recent Physician, and he
researched the issue from there for his own knowledge. Fairly scary if one
doesn't know whats going on.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests