TaperMate

Venlafaxine bead counting taper calculator

Some venlafaxine capsules can be opened and the beads counted out to make a smaller dose. Enter your numbers below to see how many beads to take — and the formula so you can check it yourself.

Venlafaxine · capsule beads

Single dose calculator

mg
One whole capsule's strength.
beads
Count the contents of 3–5 capsules and take the average.
mg
What you want to take today.
Beads to take
80beads
take this many of the 160 beads in one 75 mg capsule. Beads can't be split, so round below.
Formula beads = (target dose ÷ capsule strength) × beads per capsule
With your numbers (37.5 ÷ 75) × 160 = 80 beads
Round up · safer on withdrawal
80 beads
≈ 37.5 mg — slightly higher, generally safer.
Round to nearest
80 beads
≈ 37.5 mg — closest to your target.
Item 14L · Verify Validate this calculation
Capsule strength
75 mg per capsule
Beads per capsule
160 beads
One bead
0.4688 mg — strength ÷ beads
Target dose
37.5 mg — what you want to take
Beads to take
80 beads (before rounding)
Check
(80 ÷ 160) × 75 = 37.5 mg ✓
Every input and the formula are shown so you can verify the result by hand.
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Next step

Plan your full taper in TaperMate

This calculator handles one dose. The TaperMate app calculates a full reduction schedule with hold periods, microtapering and symptom monitoring — so each new dose is one tap away, not a daily maths problem.

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Example methodAdapted from the RELEASE Toolkit. Adjust the amounts to suit what your prescriber has agreed.

Counting venlafaxine beads

Some venlafaxine capsules can be opened and the beads counted out to make a smaller dose. The calculator above converts your target dose into a number of beads.

What you'll need

  • A clean plate or bowl
  • Good light, and patience
  • A small container for the beads to take

Method

  1. Open a capsule carefully over the plate so no beads are lost.
  2. Count the total number of beads — or use a verified average for your brand from 3–5 capsules.
  3. Use the calculator to find how many beads make your target dose.
  4. Count out that number, place them in a little soft food or back into the capsule, and swallow without chewing.
  5. Prepare each dose fresh.

Tips

  • Bead counts vary by brand — count your brand rather than assuming.
  • Round up for a slightly safer dose; the calculator shows both options.

When not to use this method

  • Chewing the beads — many are coated to control release.

Sources to discuss with your prescriber