|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

Pristiq Side Effects

Pristiq, also known as desvenlafaxine, is an antidepressant that treats anxiety and panic disorders. It does so by restoring serotonin and norepinephrine, two chemicals that naturally occur in your brain.

  1. Benefits

    • You may benefit from taking Pristiq if you are being treated for general or social anxiety, panic disorders or major depression.

    Mild Side Effects

    • While taking Pristiq, you may experience dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, an increase in sweating, or nausea. Fewer than 2 percent of people who participated in the clinical trials experienced hot flashes, nose bleeds and yawning.

    Severe Side Effects

    • Severe side effects include reduced libido in men, hallucinations, seizures and panic attacks. A few participants also reported signs of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare disease associated with some medications.

    Interactions

    • Let your physician know if you are taking aspirin, Plavix, or heparin-like products such as Lovenox or Fragmin. You may also experience reactions between Pristiq and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Celebrex, Lodine or ibuprofen.

    Warnings

    • Do not take Pristiq if you are allergic to Effexor or if you are pregnant. As with any medication, Pristiq may not be right for you. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if the symptoms you experience worsen or become bothersome.

Depression - Related Articles