I took Pristiq for a few years in 2012-2014. My psychiatrist felt it was a very good drug with few side effects. However, due to it being an extended release tablet that can't be cut, they did not give a good exit plan. It is also not available in very low doses that would make a taper easier. He gave me low doses of Prozac, which is much easier to taper off. As I would decrease the Pristiq, I would take a little Prozac. I would alternate days. It was an easy off that way.