Can I self-medicate myself with Effexor until my insurance kicks in?

About 3 years ago, I started taking Effexor and it worked for my anxiety and panic disorder. I stopped taking it when I lost insurance. My anxiety has been on and off since then and some how I have managed to keep getting Xanax every so often from a Quick Care that will last me like 3 - 5 months, so in case I have a panic attack I can take it etc.

Last time I went to the Quick Care they said I need to see a primary care physician for a refill but I can't do that because I don't have insurance and cannot afford it.

Luckily my insurance will kick in - in about 30 days ish - so I can go to a primary care doctor again.

Thing is I ran out of my Xanax three days ago and I have been feeling anxious and panic'd all day. It happens at work mostly when I start feeling like I'm rushing, or just in general, as the day progresses I feel it more and more so bad that I get up and walk around for a bit trying to calm down.

I still have Effexor from the time I had it 3 years ago. Can I?

I have 1 starter pill of 37.5 and then a week worth of 75 mg and then a whole bottle left of 150 mg.. which I bet could last me til my insurance kicks in and I see a doctor etc... Plus, I rather be on effexor than take xanax for whenever the panic starts... since xanax is a very dependant drug as well.

Self medicating is never a good idea. I understand your problem all too well but you really need to be evaluated by a Doctor and let him decide the best treatment option for you.
Best Wishes

I guess, why not. What would it hurt? As long as you are not taking any other drugs that will interact with the effexor. Although, you are supposed to take those 37.5 mg pills for a week or so before moving up, that might be your only problem. Call a pharmacy and ask the pharmacist. Also, how come you can pay for the quick care but not the regular doctor? Where I live, they cost the same if not more for the after hours places.

NO!!
The starting dose is 37.5 mg, but you are suppose to take that dose for 5-7 days. Then titrate up to 75 mg and stay on that dose for at least 2 weeks up to 2 months. Sometimes, rarely, the 75 mg dose works for patients. Then after 2 weeks you can go up to 150 mg. The problem is you do not have enough of the starting dose to start the cycle. Effexor's worst side effect is Nausea. At normal dosing it happens to over 30% of all patients. You would be jumping to the 75 mg pill and that is were the Nausea rate climbs to over 57%. Plus Effexor is not like Xanax. You can not just take it when you need it for a day. You have to build up the Effexor in your body before it works. But if you do have enough 75 mg pills you can cut them in half.(Each half would equal 37.5 mg) Then after 5-7 days you can take the 75 mg. You can also do the same with the 150 mg pills.(Each half would equal 75 mg) Also, 3 year old meds could have an expired experation date. Not that big of a deal. All pharmaceutical companies send their expired pills over seas to third world countries. Its free meds for them. All pills have the "said" medicine(Effexor) in them along with certain salts that make the pill have color and also gives it shape. If you do go ahead, make sure you leave yourself with enough Effexor to titrate yourself off. You can not quit Effexor cold turkey. Just down titrate the same way you titrated up. Hope that makes sense. Good luck.

I would not consider that self-medicating. It was prescribed to you. It has your name on it. I would take it if you had a good experience with Effexor and are familar with all the side effects.