Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Desvenlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.
Pristiq is used to treat major depressive disorder.
Pristiq may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Pristiq if you are being treated with linezolid or methylene blue injection.
Do not use Pristiq if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. Do not take an MAOI for at least 7 days after you stop taking Pristiq.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Pristiq. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Pristiq is not approved for use in children.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Pristiq if you are allergic to desvenlafaxine or venlafaxine (Effexor), or if you are being treated with linezolid or methylene blue injection.
Do not use Pristiq if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. After you stop taking this medicine, you must wait at least 7 days before you start taking an MAOI.
To make sure Pristiq is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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bipolar disorder (manic depression);
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liver or kidney disease;
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heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a history of stroke;
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narrow-angle glaucoma;
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seizures or epilepsy;
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a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
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low levels of sodium in your blood; or
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if you are switching to Pristiq from another antidepressant.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Pristiq. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Pristiq may cause problems in a newborn baby if the mother takes the medication late in pregnancy (during the third trimester). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Desvenlafaxine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take Pristiq?
Take Pristiq exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take Pristiq with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
Do not stop using Pristiq suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase certain side effects of Pristiq.
Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with Pristiq may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Pristiq may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Desvenlafaxine can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Pristiq side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Pristiq: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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seizure (convulsions);
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easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood;
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blurred vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
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cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
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high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or
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low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
Common Pristiq side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;
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increased sweating;
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mild nausea, decreased appetite, constipation;
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vision changes;
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sleep problems (insomnia); or
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Pristiq?
Many drugs can interact with desvenlafaxine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with Pristiq, especially:
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any other antidepressant;
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sibutramine;
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St. John"s wort;
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tramadol;
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tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
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medicine to treat mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness--amitriptyline, buspirone, lithium, nortriptyline, and many others;
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migraine headache medicine - sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others; or
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warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with desvenlafaxine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
