Pristiq

(desvenlafaxine)

●●●●●
3.5/ 5 average rating with 196 reviewsforPristiq
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Improves mood.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an effective medicine for treating depression, but it is more expensive than many other medicines that work just like it.

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    $332.44
  • Lowest price with coupon
    $33.10
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Quick facts about Pristiq
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (desvenlafaxine)

Upsides

  • You only need to take Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) once a day.
  • May be taken with or without food.
  • Less sedating than other anti-depressants.
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What to expect from Pristiq, on one page

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People’s experience with Pristiq

196reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Like most anti-depressants, full effect on mood takes up to 12 weeks.
  • Can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and/or behavior in yound adults 24 years and younger.
  • Can affect your sex drive and ability to get an erection.
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What to expect from Pristiq, on one page

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How it works

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. It increases serotonin and norepinephrine activity in the brain, which regulates mood.

Quick facts about Pristiq
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (desvenlafaxine)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Extended-release pill
People’s experience with Pristiq

196reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Dry mouth
  • Inability to sleep
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Decreased sex drive
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Side effect rates for Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

From 953 clinical trials of Pristiq when taken for depression (50 mg)
  • Nausea
    22%22%
    10%10%
  • Dizziness
    13%13%
    5%5%
  • Dry mouth
    11%11%
    9%9%
  • Excessive sweating
    10%10%
    4%4%
  • Constipation
    9%9%
    4%4%
  • Inability to sleep
    9%9%
    6%6%
  • Tiredness
    7%7%
    4%4%
  • Decreased appetite
    5%5%
    2%2%
  • Drowsiness
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Vomiting
    3%3%
    3%3%
  • Anxiety
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Blurry vision
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Tremor
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Abnormal dreams
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Dilated pupils
    2%2%
  • Vertigo
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Ringing in ears
    2%2%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Pristiq.

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
Placebo

People taking Pristiq felt side effect more

People taking Pristiq felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Age 24 or younger

    Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in people 24 years old or younger. Watch for worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood or behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment or when your dose changes. Talk to a doctor right away if you experience anxiety, irritability, or any other unusual behaviors.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

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Price
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Pristiqon 8/28/2015Avoid withdrawal at ALL COSTS. Vivid nightmares, migraines and insane mood swings. I take 100mg 1x 24/7 with buspirone. It was effective in the beginning, but has tapered off. I would suggest another medication before this one.
    23
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Depression
Alcohol
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Pristiqon 3/22/2017Alcohol definitely has a stronger effect on this medication. I am usually pretty warm compared to before I started this medication and sweating happens relatively easy. Occasionally, I feel jittery, get hot flashes, or have ringing in my ears. I also noticed I yawn more during physical activity.
    21
    Man
    A few months
    Depression
Food
  • May be taken with or without food.
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Pristiqon 8/18/2017Don't take it before bed. Take it in the morning around lunch for best results
    19
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Depression
Pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Pristiqon 1/22/2016Do not miss. Back of your neck hurts and it feels as if little electrical shocks are going up into your brain. Take it at the same time every day. It saved me. Period.
    48
    Man
    Two years or more
Sleep
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Pristiqon 12/28/2016Definitely take in the morning. I had no drowsiness, but rather felt more alert. I couldn't sleep when taken in the evening. Uptake is practically nonexistent with 50mg being both a starting and therapeutic dose. Took about a week and half for noticeable change. Within a month, great benefit along side psychological talk therapy.
    22
    Woman
    Depression
Weight
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed PristiqAlthough my doctor told me this medication was weight neutral, I gained 20 lbs on it, despite following a 1200 calorie diet and exercising regularly. Detoxing from med included: brain zaps, nausea, migraines, chills, insomnia, panic attacks
    35
    Woman
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Pristiqon 10/7/2016Although this is supposed to be weight neutral I gained 15lbs in 4 months. I was constantly hungry and bloated. Some of this could have been due to the Extreme APATHY I encountered on this medicine. It reduced the extreme anxiety encountered while being unemployed and I can say it did help turn that around, but almost to an extreme point of apathetic procrastination & Fatigue.
    40
    Man
    Depression