Posted by Cloud 9 on November 28, 2001, at 20:41:46
In reply to opening up effexor xr pills?, posted by keri on November 28, 2001, at 13:31:20
I did it to start taking the drug. 37.5mg was too much for me to handle at first, so i started low and worked my way up... same w/ 37.5 to 75mg. No problems and it was easier on my body. In theory it should work the other way around, why not? I hear of people shaving little bits off their pills all the time. In fact, it's actually recommended too slowly wane yourself off ADs to mitigate withdrawl symptoms and prevent an immediate relapse. Personally, i think it's an integral part of the drug co.s plan to keep people on the drugs (to add a little melo-drama :)by having such a large gap b/t dose increments in hopes they'll withdrawl and it's back to the E XR. Go for it, i commend you for defying your doctor and doing what feels right for you. Try a systematic approach maybe counting the pebbles and decreasing a small percentage each day or couple of days over a set amount of time until you're left with just a capsule. Good luck!!!
PS- this worked for me and may not work for you seeing as though the pebbles may dissolve at different rates with the extended release version of effexor. However each ball seems to all have the same amount of coating (thickness of outer layer visible when crushed). I'd try it but you may want to wait for others opinions who know a i little more about the absorbtion rate of the drug than i do. Ask benzapp s/he seems to have a pretty good take on meds.> I read in one of the posts that someone was opening up their effexor xr capsules and removing some of the little tiny balls inside. Does anyone know anything about this?
>
> I do not like this drug at all. The side effects are horrible, I was put on a smaller dosage and now the crying and mood swings AND side effects are just not worth it. My PCP is pretty much worthless. The only reason I went there was to help get on a med because my therapist couldn't prescribe it.
>
> Now, this PCP, who barely knows my name doesn't want to take me off this med entirely (I think it has something to do with the drug company they support).
>
> Anyhow, I want to wean myself off of it. I know not to go cold turkey because the effects of that could be really bad.
>
> Does anyone know anything about taking a bit of the med out of the capsule a little at a time to reduce the amount you're taking?
poster:Cloud 9
thread:85413
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85466.html