Coming off medication?
 

For once not a thread about me wanting to come off medication!

I'm on a low dose of venlafaxine after having a Big Sad when I came off my medication two years ago. I have to have a medication review every year with my GP surgery (fair) and a nurse rang me today and was immediately suggesting coming off it. She accepted my decision not to but put me on six monthly reviews (instead of a year) so I can think about it again then.

Is that a bit pushy? I didn't just hop to my GP a year ago because I was having a first episode of low mood. It feels pretty clear to me that medication is going to be a long term thing and it will be bloody inconvenient trying to get an appointment in six months' time for a review I don't feel I need =/

Eh?? What reasons did she give for suggesting you stop taking it?

My only thought would be maybe the cost? I think you're taking venlafaxine xr tablets (not capsules)? When I fell down my most recent BNF rabbit hole that seemed to be the most expensive form of the medication.

It does seem very pushy and invasive to me. I don't know if it would be worth asking for an appointment with a doctor to talk about it - they might have an explanation

Thanks Lio! The cost is a good point, i didn’t know it was most expensive.

She didn’t even give a reason and I’m pretty certain she didn’t even ask whether or not i was sufficiently chipper, she just said it as if it was the standard next step.

That’s a good idea- I think i will try to book the six month review well in advance so i definitely get an in-person appointment with a doctor so i can ask for some clarification and hopefully get put back on yearly reviews.

Technically she is correct in that if you are doing tickety boo, it is recommended to ASK and DISCUSS the option of coming off or reducing medication after a period of relative stability. But it sounds like she’s not really done a proper assessment or discussed the options with you. I have some patients who have been on venlafaxine or others for many years and that’s the right choice for them. Was she calling to arrange physical health checks?

Also the the format that it comes in and the branding whether your getting generic or not. I know for one of my medications I can only do the original brand and not the similar brands to it. Whether it’s in capsules or tablets orodispersible all affects the costs the medications.