AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question Hi, I have been taking novo venlafaxine xr: 37.5 mg a day (for anxiety) for the last 3 days and I am wondering what happens if I suddenly decide to stop taking the pills? I am also curious to know if it is normal to be feeling somewhat lightheaded in the beginning. Thank you.
Answer Julie
It sounds as though you are experiencing common side effects of Venlafaxine (see www.drugs.com/mtm/venlafaxine.html). These will often settle as you become more established with the medication. As you are taking the sustained release formulation, these problems should be lower, but not necessarily nil.
If however you find these symptoms intolerable, it should be quite safe to stop the drug at this stage. However, once established it is often necessary to slowly withdraw the medication to prevent other symptoms. Regrettably most of the newer anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication are associated with withdrawal problems.
My suggestion would be to consider whether the side effects are making you more anxious and if so it may be better to discontinue. Many anxety states respond to motivational change and you may consider that the potential for side effects is not comfortable and that you may find that with a positive outlook your anxiety could be reduced. If you can achieve this, the recognition that you feel better and more positive is the starting point for the next step along the road.
