Pristiq
(desvenlafaxine)
Improves mood.
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.
- Price before coupon$58.35
- Lowest price with coupon$20.4965% savings
- 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.
What to expect from Pristiq, on one page
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.
What to expect from Pristiq, on one page
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. It increases serotonin and norepinephrine activity in the brain, which regulates mood.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (desvenlafaxine)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Extended-release pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$73.96Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- CostcoGet free coupon$20.49
- Get free coupon$22.18
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$22.18
What to expect when you take Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Dry mouth
- Inability to sleep
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Decreased sex drive
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
- Nausea22%22%10%10%
- Dizziness13%13%5%5%
- Dry mouth11%11%9%9%
- Excessive sweating10%10%4%4%
- Constipation9%9%4%4%
- Inability to sleep9%9%6%6%
- Tiredness7%7%4%4%
- Decreased appetite5%5%2%2%
- Drowsiness4%4%4%4%
- Vomiting3%3%3%3%
- Anxiety3%3%2%2%
- Blurry vision3%3%1%1%
- Tremor2%2%2%2%
- Abnormal dreams2%2%1%1%
- Dilated pupils2%2%
- Vertigo2%2%1%1%
- Ringing in ears2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Pristiq.
People taking Pristiq felt side effect more
People taking Pristiq felt side effect less
Manufacturers don’t say how common these side effects are when taking Pristiq for depression (50 mg)
- Disturbance in attention
- Nervousness
- Inability to urinate
Risks and Warnings for Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- 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.
Common concerns from people taking Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed 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.23WomanTwo years or moreDepression
- Not worth itSome hassleReviewed desvenlafaxineon 5/25/2019Has the most extreme interaction with alcohol39ManA few monthsDepression
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed 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.21ManA few monthsDepression
- May be taken with or without food.
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Pristiqon 5/15/2020Must be taken with food for me as it causes nausea in doses higher than 50mg (v low). Can be split in to two doses to reduce nausea. It can make you too nervous to sleep if you don’t have a sleeping tablet or alike. It’s better than others though as it improves my mental capacity- doesn’t make you dopey or effect your life so much as other antidepressants!40WomanTwo years or moreDepression
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed Pristiqon 8/18/2017Don't take it before bed. Take it in the morning around lunch for best results19WomanTwo years or moreDepression
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed 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.48ManTwo years or more
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Pristiqon 1/28/2021Reduced libido67WomanA year or soDepression
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Pristiqon 5/27/2020Not drowsy at all during day and I take it in the morning. Initially, did not have much trouble with anxiety. If I have a spurt of anxiety can add Wellbutrin for a spell.51WomanA year or soDepression
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed 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.22WomanDepression
- Not worth itLow hassleReviewed 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 attacks35Woman
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed 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.40ManDepression