How to wean off Effexor XR ?

Your Dr should of taken care of this problem. Effexor is a tricky one but at least your switching to another SNRI. If your Dr will Rx you the instant release they make 100, 75, 50, 37.5, and 25mg tabs that can be split safely and ideally I would go 250x5, 200x5, 150x5, then 75x5 but add the 30 of Cymbalta then after 5 days I would go to the 60mg dose. Both of the others that answered are smarter than me but I think if you only have the XR you can open it and split it as I dont see how you could possibly take too much when what you're starting with is what you're already on and people take out beads and give them in pudding or yogurt all the time but don't chew them or crush them. I don't see any other way if your Dr wont write you a tapering regimen that you can do it. Please take the advice from your Dr 1st but you did come for an answer so I gave mine. Best wishes and good luck.

Cfaz; Also no matter what you hear or even if the doctor says something like this you never ever open these capsules and take small amounts out this is a special timed release capsule and each color of bead dissolves at a different time you can't do this you could end up taking way to much etc. So as said earlier you must use the different strengths that are made by the company chuck1957

Cfaz; Yes please follow WildcatVet post It is very important you just can't switch from one to the other without going down some on the Effexor as said and when it gets to the lower amount the doctor may have you start the Cymbalta. Do not let your doctor tell you that it is okay just to switch many doctors still don't believe how hard it is to come off Effexor XR and everyone is different on how fast they can do it.Give your doctor a call and get a tapering dose of the Effexor prior to switching to the Cymbalta. Good luck and hope you have better luck with the Cymbalta.

Hi Cfaz! The capsules are available in 37.5, 75, and 150mg strengths. Your doctor could script a handful in each strength that you take as you taper down. Otherwise s/he may have you go once a day x3, every other day x3 until you're down to none at all.