1. < Depression & Anxiety

Side effects of Pristiq

Posted by Native Floridian @nativefloridian, Jan 7, 2012

Has anyone successfully tapered off Pristiq? If so, what was your plan? I am considering going off this medicine. I take 50 mg per day and have done so for about 2 years. I understand there are very significant withdrawal symptoms and I would like to stop taking Pristiq because it causes my heart to race when the time release happens. I am afraid this medicine may not be good for the heart because the clinical trials state that anyone with a heart condition was not allowed to take it.

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dottiew37622 | @dottiew37622 | Apr 19 10:23am

I have been taking Pristiq for a month. I started with 25 mg and then it was raised to 50 mg. I have had no side effects so far which is very unusual for me. I have taken depression medications for years and suffered many side effects and withdrawal problems. I am encouraged with this medication, but now wonder what side effects to expect and when they begin. I have researched and tried to learn why I have so many problems with medications. I have three autoimmune illnesses and also have problems with those medications. I was diagnosed as an adult with autism spectrum disorder. and have a very rare blood type. Just wondering if this contributes to medications issues? Doctors are dismissive of my autism and continue to prescribe medications that have been problematic in the past. I was wondering what side effects people experience with Pristiq. Most of all, I would like to know if anyone has had success with this medication!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 26 3:22pm
In reply to @2112richard "Now my question is how best can I come off off 20mg of fluoxetine daily? The..." + (show)
@2112richard

Now my question is how best can I come off off 20mg of fluoxetine daily? The transition from desvenlafaxine to fluoxetine was very easy.

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@2112richard, so glad to hear that the transition went well. Coming off that last low dose of fluoxetine should be done slowly and under the guidance of your prescribing doctor. This is one time where speed doesn't win the race.

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cheslra | @cheslra | Oct 5 3:19pm
In reply to @anonymouse "Hello! NOBODY should be weaning off this medication without advice from a doctor who knows what..." + (show)
@anonymouse

Hello! NOBODY should be weaning off this medication without advice from a doctor who knows what they are doing. Going cold turkey on this is DANGEROUS.
This tablet is extended release so It can't be cut and work quite the same. My doctor is kind and looks up stuff she doesn't know. So far my journey is going OK, but I'm still having withdrawal symptoms. I can't imagine going cold turkey bc the symptoms I have are awful.
I was on 50 mg, my doctor switched me to 25 mg for two weeks. Once I tolerated that change ( my side effects were nausea, light brain fog, not as bad as missing a pill. Now I'm on 25 mg every other day for two weeks. Everyday I don't take the pill I have brain fog, nausea, headache, I use the toilet a lot, am sleepy and irritable. Even though I'm a week, in the day I don't take a pill the symptoms are the same. If I can't tolerate this, there are options other than just doing every other day! My doctor said another option is to instead put me on Lexapro and start weaning using Lexapro, and you can cut Lexapro in half too. I may have to write her a message because I'm still trying to live my life and want less side effects while weaning off. It can be a long process!!
Please please do not try to do this yourself. See your doctor, do a telemed visit so you don't have to drive and see them. If your doctor doesn't seem to know that they are doing ask for a referral to someone who does because withdrawal is NOT easy even when doing a proper doctor overseen weaning method. Best of luck everyone!

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The extended release DOES work if you cut the pill as it is not related to the pill coating. Verified by the pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Hope this helps.

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mysza | @mysza | Nov 8 5:42pm

Hi im in process of quitting Pristiq. 63 male 7 years on 100mg. Good drug if you want to be dumb and not worry about anything. Helped me from alcohol dependence. Now haven't had drink for 7 years yeee time to get my life back. So after reading all this lovely people story decided to quit Pristiq. One week 50mg second week 25mg now 3th day with 0mg. Got bad zaps yesterday but today is much better have filing im going to be good. Will post update. Ps. Sorry about my writing English is my second language

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2 replies
dadroot | @dadroot | Nov 8 6:16pm
In reply to @mysza "Hi im in process of quitting Pristiq. 63 male 7 years on 100mg. Good drug if..." + (show)
@mysza

Hi im in process of quitting Pristiq. 63 male 7 years on 100mg. Good drug if you want to be dumb and not worry about anything. Helped me from alcohol dependence. Now haven't had drink for 7 years yeee time to get my life back. So after reading all this lovely people story decided to quit Pristiq. One week 50mg second week 25mg now 3th day with 0mg. Got bad zaps yesterday but today is much better have filing im going to be good. Will post update. Ps. Sorry about my writing English is my second language

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Thank you some much for posting this! You're not alone feeling this way. At least now I know there are TWO of us. THREE of us?....

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mysza | @mysza | Nov 15 10:38pm
In reply to @mysza "Hi im in process of quitting Pristiq. 63 male 7 years on 100mg. Good drug if..." + (show)
@mysza

Hi im in process of quitting Pristiq. 63 male 7 years on 100mg. Good drug if you want to be dumb and not worry about anything. Helped me from alcohol dependence. Now haven't had drink for 7 years yeee time to get my life back. So after reading all this lovely people story decided to quit Pristiq. One week 50mg second week 25mg now 3th day with 0mg. Got bad zaps yesterday but today is much better have filing im going to be good. Will post update. Ps. Sorry about my writing English is my second language

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Update.9 days without Pristiq Live is beautiful

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