Venlafaxine Discontinuation and Special Populations

Discontinuation Syndrome Risk

• The short half-life of venlafaxine increases the risk of withdrawal symptoms if doses are missed or the medication is abruptly stopped, according to the American College of Clinical Pharmacology, and tapering over 10-14 days is recommended when discontinuing to minimize withdrawal syndrome 1

Special Populations with Altered Half-Life

• In elderly patients, the half-life of venlafaxine extends to 11-13 hours, as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2