My doctor wants to switch me from lexapro 10 mg to effexor (venlafaxine) xr sr 75 mg. but the pharmacy said that l should not have any for a few days to let lexapro out of my system.what should i do?

Effexor (venlafaxine): Advise consulting the prescribing doctor first.

Half - lifes: Various assri antidepressants have different half-lifes - for example Prozac has a long one and zoloft (sertraline) a bit shorter. Sometimes your doctor or pharmacist will have you hold one for a short time before switching to avoid too much of a spike. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information if you do not understand why or how they are prescribing something. There usually is reason.