system
Venlafaxine is taken for hot flashes or depression?
human
I quit venlafaxine cold turkey because insurance denied it. It's been 5 days. Started feeling dizzy, nausea, headache, generally 'icky' yesterday. My blood pressure is 91/69, pulse 105, weight 115 (female, 51 years old).  I'm 5'2", in good health, work out 5 days a week.  I was taking Venlafaxine for hot flashes, not depression. Should I be concerned?
gpt
Hi,Thanks for choosing Healthcaremagic.I have read your query carefully and understood that you have stopped Venlafaxine abruptly and now you are having complaints of dizziness, nausea, headache and raised pulse rate and lower BP.I would like to let you know that you are having Venlafaxine discontinuation/withdrawal syndrome which is seen many a times when patients stop their Venlafaxine abruptly. These withdrawal symptoms usually last from 1-4 weeks.I would like to advice you that you can consult your psychiatrist who can taper off your Venlafaxine very slowly and discuss with you other options for the hot flushes which are included in your insurance cover.Hope I answered your query, let me know if you need any further information.RegardsDR. ASHUTOSH SINGH