You are playing with fire by taking expired pills and just taking whatever amount you "feel" like from day to day. You already have a history of abusing substances, so you will be at risk to not take meds like you are supposed to.
If Effexor worked for you, that's great...but do this right. Go to a doctor, get them prescribed to YOU and take them EXACTLY like prescribed. You are seeking instant relief and it doesn't always work that way....you may have good days and bad days. If you have a bad day, the answer isn't to take more medication...the answer is to chalk it up to a bad day.
Also, taking expired meds is never a good idea. Some medications simply lose their efficacy, but some meds can actually become toxic after they expire. Expired meds should be disposed of properly, NEVER used.
effexor does work right away, i know zoloft, paxil, SSRI's take almost a month to kick in, this isn't the case with effexor. It must have been a high amount, b/c i am seriously ill from taking 300 mg. All I know is i felt normal, didn't have the residual methadone withdrawal crap, could sleep 8 hours, didn't have crazy dreams and everything else that goes along with opiate withdrawal. One day i forgot and took 75mg(the expired ones) by accident and it ****** me up so bad i couldn't get off the couch. I just know that i am very very ill from effexor withdrawal right now, infact its gotten much worse in the last couple hours, so knowing how bad effexor withdrawal can be just tapering down, ive taken 300 mg and this is the worst effexor withdrawal ive ever had, so for the **** to knock me and for me to still be feeling this bad on 300 mg, which is a very high dose anyway, those expired pills had to have been strong
Well first of all you should not open any capsules because they are intended to be taken at once because you could have the extended release capsules which would make em not extended release if you take it without the capsule.
Antidepressants doesn't work like you take the pill and you feel great. You need to take the pill once a day or as indicated by your doctor and as your brain adjust to the drug you can start to feel better in the range of 2 and 4 weeks. Taking high doses here and there won't do anything.
While the amount you took was high, it was not ridiculously high and it is not possible that it has synthesized into something else.
I highly suggest that you go see a doctor and get your own prescription, avoid breaking capsules, don't take any expired meds.
M4