Venlafaxine to Fluoxetine - Direct Switch or Cross Taper?

Hi all. My doctor wants me to do a direct switch from 37.5 of Venlafaxine to 20 of Fluoxetine. I'm concerned this will cause significant withdrawal. I struggled a lot going from 75 to 37.5, so I think stopping the Venlafaxine so abruptly is a bad idea for me. I want to stop the Venlafaxine because it makes me sweat like crazy. I'm hoping he will agree to a cross taper where I taper off of Venlafaxine at the same time that I taper up on Fluoxetine.

Has anyone done a direct switch from an SNRI to an SSRI? Please let me know how it went.

Hi littlewing. I remember you. It has been awhile and I'm glad that you are still here.
I don't have any direct experience with the medications that you listed, but I am on an SSRI-class anti-depressant (Sertraline/Zoloft). It helps me think straight and sleep well.

Side effects and symptoms vary widely between people. What works for one person, may not work for another. There may be 'Common' difficulties that are listed, but you may not ever experience them or you may experience effects that are not on the 'Common' list.

I would go for it. The doctor will want to know how your body is reacting to the new med. If you do notice anything unusual, please don't hesitate to contact your doctor or pharmacist about it.

You have options of other drugs if the Fluoxetine does not agree with you, but your doctor has to know. If you feel that it is more than an 'adjustment' issue, again your doctor has to know.

I noticed that a new medication was giving me swelling and itchy ankles. I contacted the doctor who told me to stop taking it right away. He called another med prescription into the pharmacy that was ready for pickup when I got out of work. I had no problems with the new med.

Please don't be anxious about this change. Stay vigilant and aware if your body tells you something. I hope that the new med will benefit you.

As always, best of luck to you.

Yeah everyone reacts different I suppose.

Had a bad experience with venlafaxine many years ago which resulted in me having to stop them straight away.

I've never had a problem coming off any prescription drug except for mirtazapine. Been taking it for years. Tried so many times to get off them but I just end up starting again on a higher dose.

It's a bastard.

Best wishes to you.

Thanks Wally and Manners. Everybody is very different, but Effexor is notorious for terrible withdrawals. I'm also notorious for being extremely sensitive to med changes. That's why I plan to negotiate with my doc to do a cross taper. My regular psychiatrist (who was great) left the practice so I currently have a temporary doc who is very hard to get a hold of. I'm looking into a new practice. Having a good, responsive psychiatrist is so very important, especially when making med changes.