What are good ways to deal with withdraw from effexor (venlafaxine)?

With your Docs help!: Ideally this should be done in conjunction with the prescribing physician. Stopping an antidepressant on your own is not a good idea. About 1/5 individuals experience discontinuation symptoms when coming off a snri. Effexor (venlafaxine) has a relatively short 1/2 life meaning it clears from the system fairly quickly. Generally the dose would be decreased gradually to the lowest possible dose before stopping.

Also: Because Effexor (venlafaxine) has such a short life (leaved the body in 15 hours) withdrawl happens even with one or two missed doses so going off is difficult as the body is put into withdrawl quickly. Many doctors add a 'prozac bridge' at the end Effexor (venlafaxine) withdrawl. Prozac is much longer acting (half life 7-9 days) and is similar enough to keep withdrawl at bay & let the body slide off medicine more gradually.