Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) How does/did it work for you?

Posted by steve1960 @steve1960, Mar 12, 2019

I've recently been prescribed Pristiq (50mg) after trying Citalopram (20mg). On the Citalopram my mood improved slightly - felt kind of numb emotionally, but physically I felt horrible. Headache, anxious, pounding heart, constantly hungry, didn't sleep well, felt as if I had been poisoned, just overall blah. I haven't started taking the Pristiq as I understand it's more difficult to stop and I dread the potential side effects. I was diagnosed with clinical depression in my early twenties and am now in my late fifties. I have tried Paxil, Welbutrin, and Prozac in the past. Over the past six years, my depression has been worse than ever. I'm interested in hearing from folks that have experience taking Pristiq. Thanks in advance.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Profile picture for lisa333 @lisa333

I am med resistant. MDD since I was a kid. I'm 52 now and trying meds again off and on my whole life.....Does anyone know about Pristiq? Good or bad experiences or weight gain

Jump to this post

I am on 450mg of desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) + 100 mg of lamotrigine (Lamictal). I also take 300 mg of Bupropion. I don't have any I'll affects, but found that adding the lamotrigine helped the benefits of the desvenlafaxine. No weight gain.

REPLY
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @mdavis1240 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You may have noted I moved your post here to an existing discussion of desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) so that you can connect with others who have taken this medication.

Hoping that members like @daphnesioux @sandiegan1972 @mominfo867 @eburning @steve1960 will have some thoughts on how long it might take to feel the effects of this medication.

I did note that in this Mayo Clinic article on desvenlafaxine https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/desvenlafaxine-oral-route/description/drg-20071583, it says, "You may have to take desvenlafaxine for several weeks before you begin to feel better."

I have noted with antidepressants personally (though I haven't take desvenlafaxine) that it can take up to 2-3 months to feel the full effect of the medication. It's a bumpy process to get through, I've thought, for sure.

What symptoms of the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression are your particularly looking to get under better control?

Jump to this post

Both

REPLY

23 days on pristique. Feel worse than being on venlafaxine. How long do I wait?

REPLY

I'm taking 150 mg. 24 days now. Depression and anxiety worse than ever. How long do I do this?

REPLY

25 days on it and still am depressed and anxious. Don't know how long it takes to work
But so far I'm worse

REPLY
Profile picture for larrypains @larrypains

I'm taking 150 mg. 24 days now. Depression and anxiety worse than ever. How long do I do this?

Jump to this post

Contact your provide.

REPLY

Does your experience say it may still work?

REPLY

I've been taking it for 10 years. I've taken probably 15 different things over 45 years. I also take Lamictal for mood. I think It too is good. As I was told years ago, there is nothing magic about pills nor what the doctor says, but it all offers a lot of help to get us through the life we live. 74 now and still have bad days and anxiety. But Pristiq is doing pretty well. Hope you get better.

REPLY
Profile picture for mdavis1240 @mdavis1240

Hi all. I'm new to the group and have suffered from GAD and depression since I was a little kid. My doctor recommended Pristiq. I started on 50 mg for a week and then she upped it to 100 mg. I've been on 100 mg for 10 days. I wish I could say I'm feeling better but I'm not. Can anybody give life experiences with this drug?

Jump to this post

10 years for my taking Pristiq 50, 100, back to 50. I also take Lamictal for mood. I have taken at least 15 things since I was diagnosed at 28 and I am now 74. Doctor said he has no magic pill, but they do help a lot. The more I stay busy, physically I do much better too.

REPLY
Profile picture for larrypains @larrypains

Does your experience say it may still work?

Jump to this post

I took the brand name Pristiq in 2012-2014. For me, it was a good drug for depression and basically no side effects. I had significant weight gain on Lexapro but not Pristiq. I can't say a generic is as good, sometimes they are not. I did have to use Prozac as a bridge to taper off since Pristiq is an extended release and hard to taper.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.