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 Taking desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed desvenlafaxine for the treatment of your depression. This drugs affects the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine and that effect is thought to decrease depression. The brand name of this drug is Pristiq.
How you will take Pristiq
Take this drug about the same time each day. You may take it with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole; don’t cut, crush, or chew the tablets.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed dose. Don’t make up doses. Don’t take more than one dose a day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: dizziness, changes in concentration (don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug will affect you), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, headache, sweating, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety, tremor, dilated pupils, decreased sex drive, delayed orgasm and ejaculation
Less common: lung infections, suicidal thoughts, increased blood pressure, seizures
What you must know about other medications
There are many drugs that could cause serious problems if you combine them with this drug: MAO inhibitors, drugs containing venlafaxine, drugs that alter serotonin level (such as other anti-depressants). You may experience increased bleeding if combined with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, or warfarin. You could have increased mental changes with alcohol or other stimulants. You could experience a serious adverse effect called serotonin syndrome if combined with other serotonin reuptake inhibitors or St John’s wort. Tell any health care provider who takes care of you that you are taking this drug.
Special directions
- Don’t stop taking this drug; if you’re running low or feeling better. Talk to your health care provider about a refill; the drug shouldn’t be stopped suddenly. It should be tapered if it’s to be discontinued.
- It may take several weeks before you see the effects of this drug. It’s important to keep taking the drug as prescribed.
- You may notice something in your stool that looks like your tablet. This is the empty shell of the tablet, the medicine has already been absorbed into your system.
- Don’t use St. John’s wort while you’re taking this drug; serious adverse effects could occur.
- Don’t drive or operate dangerous machinery until you now how this drug affects you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while on this drug.
- Your health care provider may monitor your eye pressure, blood pressure, and various blood test results while you are on this drug.
Keep in mind
- There’s a risk of suicidal thoughts, especially when starting the drug or adjusting the dose. Be alert for these thoughts. Call your health care provider if you have any such thoughts or increased depression or anxiety.
- It’s unknown if this drug could affect a fetus. You should use contraceptive measures while you are on this drug. If you should become pregnant while taking this drug, consult with your health care provider.
- It’s unknown how this drug could affect a nursing baby. It does enter breast milk and because of the potential for adverse effects, another method of feeding the baby should be used.
- Notify your health care provider if you develop suicidal thoughts, mood or behavioral changes, agitation, restlessness, panic, irritability, rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, increased bleeding, hallucinations, fever, seizures, fainting.
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