The brain zaps are usually the Effexor XR side effect that stops most people from being able to discontinue the Effexor XR. The Road Back does offer a solution for all side effects caused by Effexor XR discontinuance. The term used for reducing Effexor XR is called taper.. The Road Back uses the word taper, as well as a word we coined almost 15 years ago, pre-taper. The pre-taper is the time spent before reducing the medication.