Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine)

Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) Medication Information:

What is Pristiq?

Pristiq is a prescription medicine used to treat mood disorders such as depression. It contains the active ingredient Desvenlafaxine and belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Pristiq works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. It is approved for use in adults but not approved for pediatric patients.

Uses and benefits of Pristiq:

Pristiq is mainly used for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). Major depressive disorder is characterized by symptoms such as feeling sad, worthless, and hopeless, loss of interest in activities, low energy, trouble concentrating, nervousness, and suicidal thoughts.

Pristiq helps to improve mood, concentration, alertness, energy, and feelings of well-being and reduces nervousness, and depression in patients. These changes improve the daily functioning and quality of life.

Side Effects of Pristiq:

People taking Pristiq may experience some common side effects including:

• Dizziness, nausea, anxiety.
• Sweating
• Sleep problems
• Constipation, decreased appetite.
• Sexual function problems.

Call your doctor right away if you notice some serious side effects of Pristiq including:

• Hallucinations, fainting, seizures, and coma.
• Serotonin syndrome with symptoms such as fast heartbeat, seizures, fainting, twitching muscles, fever, and confusion.
• Angle-closure glaucoma with symptoms such as eye pain, vision changes, swelling, or redness around the eye.
• Sudden changes in behavior or mood, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, worse depression.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Low sodium levels with symptoms such as headache, difficulty concentrating, memory changes, confusion, and weakness.
• High blood pressure.
• Lung problem and severe allergic reactions such as rash, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to take Pristiq?

Pristiq comes in the form of extended-release tablets in three different strengths: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. The recommended dosage depends on the medical condition of the patient. Pristiq is taken orally once daily with or without food at the same time each day. Patients are advised to swallow the tablets whole with liquid. They should not crush, chew, or dissolve the Pristiq tablets. Never stop taking the medicine or change the dose of the medicine without consulting your doctor.

Pristiq Drug Interactions

Pristiq may interact with other medicines including:

• MAO inhibitors such as methylene blue, and moclobemide.
• Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.
• Medicines for mood, or psychotic, disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
• Medicines to treat migraine headaches such as triptans.
• St. John's wort, tryptophan, and antidepressants such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and duloxetine.
• Anti-anxiety drugs and opioid painkillers such as fentanyl, and tramadol.
• Other medicines containing desvenlafaxine or venlafaxine.

Safety Information:

• Do not take Pristiq if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Do not take Pristiq if you have taken MAOI within the last 14 days. Patients should not take an MAOI within 7 days after stopping Effexor XR.
• Patients taking the medication should be watched carefully as these medications may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Talk to your doctor about the safety of the medicine if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are a breastfeeding woman.
• Before starting the medication, tell your doctor if you have had angle-closure glaucoma, heart disease, bleeding disorder, bipolar disorder, liver or kidney disease, low sodium in the blood, and suicidal behaviors.
• Do not drive a car or use heavy machinery just after taking Pristiq.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Pristiq.

References:

• http://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=497
• https://www.rxlist.com/pristiq-drug.htm