Efexor XL - should I be taking double the dose but once a day?

[Fangus]

I think the GP messed up my prescription. I was on 150mg twice a day and asked to go on prolonged release because of the insomnia. The doc prescribed half the dose. 75mg, twice a day. The pharmacist said it should be 2 x 75mg, once a day but that is half my previous dose. I feel like shit and think it’s because the doc did the math wrong! In my head it should be 300mg once a day. Anybody got a calculator???

[Spaz119]

Call your doctor! The pharmacist sees enough of this that it seems odd to him. I used to take Efexor and when I was coming off of it the dose was decreased slowly and I started taking something new at the same time.

I tried going off it myself by slowly taking half a dose and I felt awful! 🤢

It’s better to call and check with the office 🙁

[Fangus in reply to Spaz119]

Thanks! Yes the doctor messed up. Luckily the out of hours doc could do his math and I am back on track from today.

[Spaz119 in reply to Fangus]

Scary about the math isn’t it? I’m so glad it’s straightened out 🙂

[Hidden]

Call your doctor and see what's going on. They should get to this immediately so you don't feel awful. Whether it's regular Effexor or XR, this doesn't matter....it's merely the release. It sounds like it should be 4 x 75 mg once a day. I had this same issue of confusion with my pharmacist recently who asked me how I was instructed to take my medication. In my case, we bumped from 150 to 225 mg a day. Once I told her, the Rx filled and showed me taking 3 x 75 mg a day. Likely a mistake, but best to get clarity....I would not double down on your own until you get the correct instructions or corrected dose from your doctor. At the very least, you can take the filled Rx and use it despite the possible incorrect dosing, just at the resolved formula (if it is indeed 4 x 75 mg a day). Effexor can be quite messy to mess with the doses due to the pill sizes. For the XR, I do see a 150 mg pill size, so your doctor can make it easier on you by prescribing 2 x 150 mg a day if that is indeed the care plan. Best of luck.

[Fangus in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Veritas9983, the doc got it wrong. I knew I wasn’t going crazy haha

[Hidden in reply to Fangus]

You bet! Lol, yeah, we all have enough going on that the last thing we need is a wrong dose making us feel off. Glad they have it figured out and best of luck on the corrected med!

[Hidden]

300 is a big dose. 2 of my sister take the largest dose of 350 a day. It has to be approved by the health department each time they get a script. That’s here in Australia anyway. Maybe ask your doc again.

[medindexer]

Dropping from 300 to 150 suddenly, is likely to feel unpleasant. Efexor (venlafaxine) gas a v short half life. Suddenly your brain is only getting half the dose.

This sudden cut in dose (or ending completely is called "venlafaxine discontinuation syndrome". Personally, I would see your doc/GP