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Stopped taking medicine Effexor. Now having dizziness and brain zaps.

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Patient's Query

Dear doctor,

I have stopped taking my medications, Effexor 75 mg for a few days. I am wondering when my dizziness and brain zaps would stop.
Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sameer Kumar is a highly qualified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Infertility specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He has completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also specializes in infertility management. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to women’s health, offering expert care in pregnancy, reproductive health, and fertility treatments. His patient-centered approach combines medical expertise with compassionate support to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. Note: If you don't want go opt for IVF and spend lakhs, then you must contact me as i specialize in medical infertility treatment for both male and female. Results have been really encouraging and statistics speak for itself, about 2000 couples helped and avoided IVF.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The sudden discontinuation of Venlafaxine (Effexor) particularly seemed to cause discontinuation symptoms during the first three to seven days.

Ideally, it should not be stopped abruptly. It should rather be decreased sequentially over two to three weeks. And, another strategy is to consider switching to Fluoxetine, which may suppress the discontinuation symptoms and it has little tendency to cause such symptoms itself; and then discontinuing that.

My advice is to wait for a few more days and if the symptoms still persist, meet your physician again and suggest to put on Fluoxetine.

Revert back for further queries to a general medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/general-medicine-physician

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At October 15, 2014
Reviewed At June 20, 2024

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sameer Kumar is a highly qualified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Infertility specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He has completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also specializes in infertility management. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to women’s health, offering expert care in pregnancy, reproductive health, and fertility treatments. His patient-centered approach combines medical expertise with compassionate support to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. Note: If you don't want go opt for IVF and spend lakhs, then you must contact me as i specialize in medical infertility treatment for both male and female. Results have been really encouraging and statistics speak for itself, about 2000 couples helped and avoided IVF.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Venlafaxine Discontinuation Awareness Builder

Stopped venlafaxine?

Five quick questions help you understand the typical course of venlafaxine discontinuation symptoms, what to mention to your doctor, and when to call for immediate advice.

This tool provides educational information only and does not diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance. Medications should be taken after consulting a physician. The dosages will be prescribed by the physician. Do not alter, start, or stop medications without consulting a healthcare professional.
Dr. Sameer Kumar
Dr. Sameer Kumar

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Consult this doctor

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sameer Kumar is a highly qualified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Infertility specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He has completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and also specializes in infertility management. Dr. Kumar is dedicated to women’s health, offering expert care in pregnancy, reproductive health, and fertility treatments. His patient-centered approach combines medical expertise with compassionate support to ensure the best outcomes for his patients. Note: If you don't want go opt for IVF and spend lakhs, then you must contact me as i specialize in medical infertility treatment for both male and female. Results have been really encouraging and statistics speak for itself, about 2000 couples helped and avoided IVF.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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