AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question I have taking Venlafaxine for 6 months for hot flashes. It worked for about 4
months but now hot flashes back, so I decided to wean myself off this drug.
I was on 75MG and recently started taking only half, so I could wean off.
This week I took half the amount again, but I am noticing side effects of
feeling dizzy, racing heart rate. Is this a normal and how long will it last?
I don't want to panic and think something else is wrong before I rush off to
my doctor.
Thank you for your professional response.
Answer Dear Karen
These could very well be withdrawal symptoms (but remember this drug is not addictive). Withdrawal should be done over no less than two weeks and in your case I would say 3-4 weeks. As this drug lasts a long time in the body maybe you'd be better to go 1/2 one day then 1/4 the next day (difficult to quarter tablets though - try a tablet cutter from your pharmacy). Do this for one week and then 1/4 every day for a week; one quarter every second day for 8 days then stop. If you continue to get symptoms even initially on this regime I would see your doctor. It may be that these symptoms are related to your initial condition rather than withdrawal and need to continue the drug for another 6 months.
