Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a brand-name extended-release tablet prescribed for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. As a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), Pristiq affects the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain to help stabilize mood. Like all antidepressants, Pristiq can cause side effects, ranging from mild and temporary to more persistent and concerning.
Common and Mild Side Effects of Pristiq
Pristiq can cause various side effects, with some being more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, consulting with your doctor or pharmacist is essential.
Some of the more common side effects reported in clinical trials include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Excessive sweating
- Constipation
Other mild side effects that have been reported with Pristiq include:
- Sleepiness
- Decreased appetite
- Feeling anxious
- Fatigue
- Tremor
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Sexual side effects
- Mild allergic reaction
These side effects are usually mild and ease within a few days to weeks. However, it's important to note that after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Pristiq and want to report it to the FDA, you can visit MedWatch.
Read also: Benefits of couples massage detailed
Serious Side Effects of Pristiq
Pristiq may also cause serious side effects, although these were rarely reported in clinical studies. If you develop serious side effects while taking Pristiq, it's crucial to call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported with Pristiq and their symptoms include:
- Serotonin syndrome (high level of the chemical serotonin). Symptoms can include:
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling agitated
- Flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- Muscle stiffness or twitching
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Seizures. Symptoms can include:
- Drooling
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty regulating your bladder or bowels
- Sudden unusual eye movements
- Involuntary muscle spasms
- Low blood sodium levels. Symptoms can include:
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling confused
- Feeling weak and unsteady, which could lead to falls
- Headache
- Memory changes
- Lung problems, including pneumonia or interstitial lung disease (scarring in your lungs). Symptoms can include:
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Discomfort in your chest
- Bleeding more easily than usual. Symptoms can include:
- Bloody or black-colored stools, which may appear tar-like
- Bruising easily
- Nosebleeds
- Vomiting up blood, which may appear pink
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.
- Discontinuation syndrome.
- High blood pressure.
- Severe allergic reaction.
Pristiq has a boxed warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Long-Term Side Effects of Pristiq
Although Pristiq can cause some serious side effects, these were rarely reported in clinical studies. Most of them aren’t long term and should go away if treatment with Pristiq is stopped.
However, in rare cases, Pristiq may cause long-term side effects. For example, interstitial lung disease (scarring in your lungs) may not go away, even if you stop taking Pristiq. And if you develop high blood pressure from Pristiq, you may need to take medication long term for this condition.
Read also: How digestive health affects weight loss
Pristiq may also cause long-term side effects in people who already have certain medical conditions.
Pristiq and Weight Changes: Gain or Loss?
One of the frequently asked questions about Pristiq is whether it causes weight gain or weight loss. A very small number of people reported weight gain from taking Pristiq. However, it’s unclear whether this side effect occurred during clinical studies of Pristiq before or after the drug was approved. In short-term studies (typically 8-12 weeks), most patients gained less than two pounds on average.
On the other hand, decreased appetite was a common side effect in people who took Pristiq. Having less of an appetite may cause you to lose weight.
It's important to consider that depression, which Pristiq is prescribed to treat, can also affect your appetite and your weight. It can be difficult to know whether weight changes are due to depression symptoms easing, medications (such as Pristiq), or a combination of factors.
How Can Pristiq Cause Weight Gain?
The exact mechanisms by which Pristiq might cause weight gain are not fully understood. However, some potential factors include:
Read also: Weight Loss Meds & BCBS
- Changes in metabolism: Antidepressants can sometimes affect metabolism, leading to weight gain.
- Increased appetite: Although decreased appetite is more common, some individuals may experience an increase in appetite while taking Pristiq.
- Fluid retention: Some antidepressants can cause fluid retention, which can contribute to weight gain.
How Can Pristiq Cause Weight Loss?
Pristiq may lead to weight loss through the following mechanisms:
- Decreased appetite: As mentioned earlier, decreased appetite is a common side effect of Pristiq, which can result in weight loss.
- Nausea: Nausea, another potential side effect of Pristiq, can also lead to decreased food intake and weight loss.
Influence Factors
Several factors can influence weight changes while taking Pristiq, including:
- Individual metabolism: People's metabolisms vary, which can affect how they respond to medications like Pristiq.
- Lifestyle factors: Diet and exercise habits can also play a significant role in weight changes.
- Dosage: Higher doses of Pristiq may be more likely to cause side effects, including changes in appetite and weight.
Coping with Weight Changes
If you're concerned about your weight while taking Pristiq, there are several steps you can take:
- Track your appetite, energy, and eating habits: This can help you identify any patterns or triggers that may be contributing to weight changes.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help you feel full and prevent overeating.
- Aim for regular movement: Even a 20-minute walk can help you burn calories and improve your mood.
- Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals can lead to binge eating later.
- Talk to your doctor: If weight gain or loss becomes a concern, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on how to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you with your depression treatment plan.
Specific Side Effects of Pristiq
Headache
It’s possible to have a headache as a side effect from Pristiq. But this wasn’t commonly reported by people taking the medication in clinical studies.
A headache can also be a symptom of serious side effects of Pristiq. These side effects rarely occurred with the drug but can include:
- High blood pressure
- Low blood sodium levels
- Closed-angle glaucoma, in certain people
If you have a sudden, severe headache while taking Pristiq, talk with your doctor right away. If you have a mild headache during Pristiq treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Certain over-the-counter pain relievers may increase your risk of bleeding if you take them with Pristiq. This is why it’s important to not take any medication for a headache unless you first speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Sexual Side Effects
Rarely, Pristiq can cause sexual side effects. Such side effects can occur with antidepressant medications, including Pristiq.
Sexual side effects were more likely to happen in males taking Pristiq in clinical trials and included:
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Delayed ejaculation or not being able to ejaculate
A small number of females taking Pristiq in these studies reported reduced sex drive and not being able to have an orgasm.
The risk of sexual side effects increases with higher doses of Pristiq.
If you have sexual side effects while taking Pristiq, talk with your doctor. These side effects may ease over time. But if they don’t go away, your doctor may recommend that you switch to a different antidepressant. They can recommend the best treatment plan for your depression.
Discontinuation Syndrome
Stopping treatment with antidepressants, such as Pristiq, can cause side effects of withdrawal (uncomfortable side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is used to). This is also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. It’s not known how often people taking Pristiq in clinical studies had withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially if you suddenly stop taking a high dose of Pristiq. Examples of symptoms can include:
- Aggressive or hostile behavior
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Feeling agitated, anxious, or irritated
- Feeling pins and needles or having electric shock sensations
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Changes in mood
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions
- Tinnitus (ringing or other noise in your ears)
- Tremor
Keep in mind that missing a dose of Pristiq may also cause mild withdrawal symptoms. They can include dizziness, headache, changes in mood, and feeling anxious. These symptoms should ease shortly after you take a dose. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder.
You should not stop taking Pristiq unless your doctor specifically advises you to.
If you’re interested in stopping Pristiq treatment, talk with your doctor. They can suggest a drug taper for you. A drug taper is when your doctor slowly decreases your dosage over time until it’s safe for you to stop taking the medication. Tapering drugs such as Pristiq can help avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms. Keep in mind that if you’re taking a high dose of Pristiq, your drug taper may take several months.
High Blood Pressure
Treatment with Pristiq can cause hypertension (high blood pressure), but this wasn’t common in clinical studies.
High blood pressure doesn’t cause symptoms in most people.
If you have certain medical conditions, they may worsen if you take Pristiq and have high blood pressure as a side effect. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- History of stroke or ministroke
Before you start taking Pristiq, your doctor will typically check your blood pressure. They’ll also monitor your blood pressure during your treatment.
If you have high blood pressure, it will need to be treated before you start taking Pristiq.
If you develop high blood pressure, your doctor will typically decrease your Pristiq dose. But if your blood pressure remains high, they may recommend a different treatment for your depression.
Allergic Reaction
As with most drugs, Pristiq can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s unclear whether this side effect occurred during clinical studies of Pristiq before or after the drug was approved.
Symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious and can include:
- Rash
- Itching
- Flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- Swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
- Swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Pristiq. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Increased Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Actions
Pristiq has a boxed warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Antidepressant drugs, including Pristiq, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children and adults younger than age 25 years. This risk is highest during your first few months of taking an antidepressant and any time your doctor adjusts your dose.
Pristiq is not approved for use in people younger than 18 years old.
It’s important to note that depression and other mental health conditions are often linked to suicidal thoughts or actions.
While taking Pristiq, call your doctor right away if you:
- Have aggressive or hostile behavior
- Feel that your depression is getting worse
- Have sudden changes in your behavior, feelings, mood, or thoughts
- Have thoughts about harming yourself or dying
- Have new or worsening anxiety
- Have panic attacks
- Try to harm yourself or attempt to take your own life
During your Pristiq treatment, it’s important to keep all follow-up appointments with your doctor. You can also talk with your doctor between visits if you have concerns about any symptoms.
Precautions for Pristiq
Before you take Pristiq, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:
- Bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania: Pristiq may not be safe for you to take if you or a close relative has ever had bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania. Antidepressants such as Pristiq may worsen these problems or increase your risk of a manic episode. In addition, Pristiq is not approved to treat bipolar depression. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your mental health before you start taking Pristiq.
- High blood pressure or heart issues: Pristiq can raise blood pressure slightly. Your healthcare team can help you understand whether your blood pressure levels are normal, and what steps you can take to protect your heart health.
- High risk of bleeding: Pristiq can increase your risk of bleeding.
- Glaucoma: Pristiq may cause closed-angle glaucoma in certain people.
- Seizures: Pristiq can increase your risk of seizures.
- Low sodium levels: Pristiq can cause low sodium levels in the blood.
- Lung problems: Pristiq may cause lung problems, including pneumonia or interstitial lung disease.
- Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Pristiq or any of its ingredients, you should not take this medication.
- Pregnancy: Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It’s not known whether Pristiq is safe to take during pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Pristiq passes into breast milk or if it can cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
- Alcohol use: Mixing alcohol with antidepressants is generally discouraged - and Pristiq is no exception. Always talk to your healthcare provider before drinking while on Pristiq.
- Surgery: Be sure to tell your doctor and surgeon if you’re taking Pristiq before you have any surgery.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
When considering Pristiq as a treatment option, it's helpful to ask your doctor questions such as:
- Am I a good candidate for Pristiq?
- What are the potential benefits and risks of taking Pristiq?
- How long will it take for Pristiq to start working?
- What side effects should I watch out for?
- How will Pristiq interact with other medications I'm taking?
- What should I do if I experience side effects?
- How long will I need to take Pristiq?
- What is the best way to stop taking Pristiq if I decide to discontinue it?
- Are there any alternative treatments for my condition?
- Do you have a history of high blood pressure or heart issues?
- Are sexual side effects a major concern for you?
- Have you tried other antidepressants before?
- Are you especially sensitive to side effects?
tags: #Pristiq #and #weight #loss #information