Switching quickly from Effexor to Pristique

[CeruleanBlue]

I've been out of town for a few weeks taking care of a sick relative. Due to an unforseen extension of my visit, I've run out of Effexor with no refills available. However, I have some Pristique samples with me which my PDoc gave me recently to augment the Effexor.

I've never gotten around to taking both the Pristique and Effexor (sounded scary) but now, since I'm out of Effexor and feeling brain zaps, I'm wondering if I can avoid hassles with an out of town pharmacy by just taking the Pristique as a "substitute" for the Effexor. In other words, I'd be going off the Effexor cold turkey but starting Pristique as a replacement, hoping that it will fill the Effexor gap without a bump.

Has anyone else tried this switch? Did it work? Or do I need to make that long-distance phone call for an emergency tide-me-over prescription?

[ames_xxx]

hey,

after a recent trip to AnE, i was told i wasnt allowed and more effexor ( i had been on 150mg daily and had taken a months worth with vodka.. hense the hospitalisation)

i was sent home cold turkey, with nothing as a replacement.. i can only say.. i was a wreck!!.. i had only been on the effexor a few months so they reckoned the withdrawls wouldn't be bad.. they were horrific, and im guessing if you have been taking it for longer it would be worse..i'd hink about making the call, as inconveniant as it is..if you get withdrawls anything like i did your the one who's gonna need looking after, not your relitive!

[Cappa]

I think substituting with Pristiq would work just fine (it is a metabolite of Effexor), although the other way around would theoretically work better (substituting for Pristiq with Effexor). Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't go solo on it.