Pristiq is the brand name under which the generic drug Desvenlafaxine is sold by Pfizer Inc. It is available in extended release tablets of strengths 50 mg and 100 mg. The 50 mg tablet is light pink in color and the 100 mg one is reddish orange. This prescription drug is used to treat depressive disorders in children, teenagers and adults.
Indications
While Pristiq is approved to treat depression, it is also prescribed sometimes for other conditions like ADHD and ADD, OCD, fibromyalgia, anxiety, obesity and migraines. It is also used to treat severe anxiety and panic disorders.
Action
The drug is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor which acts on the central nervous system. It usually takes a couple of weeks for improvement to show.
Side Effects
This drug could bring on side effects like a rash, headache, gas and bloating, feverishness, bruising and bleeding of the skin for no apparent reason, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue and excessive perspiration and a dry mouth. Other effects that have been noticed are insomnia, problems concentrating, tremors and weakness. There could also be more serious side effects like allergic reactions where there is swelling of the throat and tongue, heartbeat that is irregular, low or high blood pressure, impotence or suicidal thoughts. You need to get in touch with the doctor at the slightest hint of anything serious especially if there is talk of suicide or there is swelling due to being allergic to the drug. In fact, anything unusual or different should be brought to the attention of the doctor. Like most depression drugs, this one too requires close monitoring in order to help the patient get through the treatment.
Caution
You need to be careful about drug reactions when you are on this drug so tell your doctor everything about what medication and supplements you are taking regularly. You also need to be prepared for withdrawal symptoms when the doctor takes you off the drug and you will need to watch out for spells of crying, mood swings, blurred vision, hallucinations, buzzing in the ears, tingling sensations on the skin and aggression. You need to be very honest with your doctor and share with him everything about you and your family history before he can prescribe medication for you. This will help him take an informed decision in order to help you get the best medication suited to you. Special screening will have to be done if there is a history of bipolar disorder, mania, convulsions or seizures.
Contraindications
This drug is not recommended for women when they are pregnant or nursing. It is also to be avoided by the very old or by people with severe renal or liver complications.