Coming off medication?

[Pi.R^2]

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 =/

[Elmer]

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

[Pi.R^2]

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.

[Pomegranate]

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?

[Fire Fly]

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.