Pristiq Side Effects Head

I have been on Pristiq 50mg for four weeks. I feel like it is working for my anxiety/depression. The side effects I have been experiencing are headaches (starting to improve) insomnia at night-time and feeling confused/having trouble thinking clearly/concentrating. This is the side effect I find most bothersome. Will these side effects ease up in time? ## Most side effects will taper off, once your body gets used to the medication, but that can sometimes take about 5 to 6 weeks. If there is no improvement after that, you should consult your doctor as it might not be the right medication to help you. The FDA lists other possible side effects as including nausea, loss of appetite, and decreased libido. Ref: Pristiq Information Is there anything I can help with?

1 REPLY

I started on Pristiq ER 50mg and also Lipitor 10mg a month ago and saw the doctor at that time. She listened to my heart rate which was fine. The Pristiq has been working very well and I have even lost 5 pounds; had gained about 40 pounds on Cymbalta. So about a week and a half ago I noticed that my pulse rate was irregular which could have started before I noticed it. I got very light-headed at work. I went to ER the other night and my heart rhythm was going in and out of bigeminy which is a normal beat followed by a premature ventricular beat. I just wore a Holter Monitor for 24 hours. Lab work was ok and I need to see a Cardiologist. I have never had this before and am just wondering if anyone else had had some symptoms like this. I have to see my regular doctor tomorrow and am not t...

2 REPLIES

I have been prescribed 50mg of pristiq for severe anxiety. Often I've seen a common side effect on the libido. Can someone tell me how you felt, if anything? What changed? Is it permanent? Did you have any other negative side effects? ## The FDA warns that it can lower the libido, other typical side effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and mood changes. Yes, they are all reversible and not permanent. Can anyone that's taken it chime in with their experiences? ## I've deffinelty experienced the nausea, causing me to vomit and take time off work. I've noticed my mood is very mellow which I've never in my life felt!

2 REPLIES

I have been on pristiq 100mg for about 10 years now for depression and anxiety it has been working for many years but today I feel terrible with head spins, nausea and systems i usually get when i forget a pill which i haven't is there any reason for this? ## Hello, Danielle! How are you? After 10 years, it may be that your body has just grown tolerant to this dosage, which could explain why you're feeling some withdrawal effects, as if you missed a pill. The U.S. FDA lists other as possibly including rebound depression, anxiety, chills, and diarrhea. It may be time for a dosage adjustment, or you may need to try an entirely different medication. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

I have been taking Pristiq for 4 days and am really struggling with the tiredness, bulging eyes feeling and nausea. Is there another medication that can be used to help treat these side effects, especially while adjusting to this new medication. I should add that 5 days ago I abruptly stopped taking my 150 mg Effexor after taking it for 3 years (I know that this probably was not wise to do - as I have tried to get off Effexor many times in the past - but was under the impression that I could go directly from one to the other). ## been on 50 mg of pristiq for 2.5 years...how to get of it completely? ## Just started 50mg pristiq. How many days does it normally take stop stop feeling sick, headed and zombie like? I've been on antidepresants before and do remember that this goes away. I...

3 REPLIES

I have been trying to start pristiq but I take it once and feel so nauseated, head spins, just a general horrible feeling in my head (possibly the brain zaps others have described) and fatigue. I have a one yr old to care for so if the effects were to continue I would persist, if not I will see my dr about swapping. Will the side effects decrease with time? Stay the same? Or get worse? ## In theory, they should decrease with time, as your body gets used to the medication, but it may take 4 to 6 weeks for that to happen. Learn more Pristiq details here. If they are that bothersome, you may want to consult your doctor about trying a different medication that doesn't cause as many side effects. Some are just more problematic than others. Have you tried any others, or is this the first ...

1 REPLY

I was taking 100 MG of Prestiq, 300 MG of Seroquel, and 150 MG of Wellbutrin. I slowly whinned myself off of everything, but the Prestiq. I lowered my dose from 100 to 50 mg's, and stayed on that for 2 weeks. I quit taking the 50 mg's of Prestiq on Sunday. I am having withdrawl side effects. The side effects include extreme nausea, headache, throbbing in my head and ears, dizziness, vomiting, irratability, and I snap at the least littlest thing. I feel like I have no control over my emotions. Has anyone went through this before? How long will the side effects last? ## I didn't do it with Pristiq, but yes, I did stop taking 100mgs of Zoloft, cold turkey. Pristiq is an SSNRI antidepressant, since this affects the chemical balance in your brain, it can be as hard to get off of ...

7 REPLIES

I've been on Pristiq for seven years. It worked for about a year or so but the last 6 years have been horrible. It's been like living in a bubble devoid of happy or strong emotions to anything. I'm now trying to come off Pristiq to switch to a new drug. It's my third day off Pristiq and I'm a horrible mess. I weened for two weeks all the while taking new drug without problem. Now that I do not have Pristiq in my system the side effects are too much to bear. I have severe headache, brain zaps, the swooshing when I move my eyes, anxious, horrible dreams, sweating, cold/hot, nausea, crying, and last but not least irritable. I don't know how I'm going to make it through this. Please, please if you know what I know...never get on this drug!

I ran out of my pristiq and could not see my doctors for a repeat so now im back on it with a few side affects. ## Hello, Katrina! How are you? Yes, if you weren't taking it for awhile, then started again, it is normal to experience side effects, again. The FDA lists the typical side effects of Pristiq as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, weight changes, dry mouth and mood swings. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

3rd week on pristiq and I'm still getting anxious and puking because of my anxiety. Should I give the 50 mg more time or ask for another solution? ## Hello, Lola84! How are you? It can take 4 to 5 weeks, before this medication reaches its full level of effectiveness in your body, it can also cause some increased anxiety, for awhile, while you're body is getting used to it. Thus, it may be best to give it a couple more weeks to see if things settle down and it helps you, unless your doctor feels otherwise. The FDA lists its other typical side effects as possibly including dizziness, headache, dry mouth, mood swings and weight changes. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

I increaase my dosage of pristiq to 100 mg and got a terrible headache for two datys Is this typical? Does it go away? Does pristiq come in lower dosages ## Normal dose is 50 mg every day. Doses of greater than 50 mg per dayare rarely more effective, however my increase the likelyhood of additional adverse reactions. Consider 50 mg every other day if poorly tolerated in the elderly. Taper dose gradually to D/C. Do not cut/crush/or chew. Yes, one of the possible side effects is headache. ## Rb is correct, headaches can be a side effect, especially with a dosage increase, you may also experience nausea, drowsiness and dry mouth. Read more here: Do you have any other questions?

2 REPLIES

Finally! Pristiq terrible side effects are gone, they lasted for seven to eight days -only was on it for a couple of weeks-. (Dont stop taking it all of a sudden like I did) (Noticed some hair loss too) Thx ## I have been trying to get off of Pristiq for over two months now. It is the worst feeling ever! I am naueseated, and light headed. Have had diahreha. I came off very slow and still had these symptoms. For three days now, I have been totally off of it, and still feeling horrible. I have to go to work feeling this way. When will I feel better?!! No more medicines for me! ## @kim, Withdrawal symptoms are generally dependent upon how long you've been taking a certain medication. For some people withdrawal effects can last weeks or a couple months, while for others it may only last...

3 REPLIES

Are there any women out there whom have become pregnant while on pristiq and continued use during the pregnancy? I just found out I was pregnant and the dr wants me to continue taking it. I am scared of birth defects and would like to hear others stories. Please Ty Jo ## Hello, Jo! How are you? Congrats on the baby!! The FDA does list this medication as being in category C, which means risk has not been ruled out, but conversely, that means that it also hasn't been known to definitively cause any problems in people. Its typical side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, mood swings and weight changes. Can anyone that's taken it while pregnant chime in?

1 REPLY

I've been on 1mg of ability with 50mg of pristiq mainly for PTSD purposes and my and some of my symptoms have worsened anger,hyper arousal,nightmares etc. I have tried other medications such as Zoloft,Prozac,Welbutrin all with no success or symptoms that became worse. Is there anything else that I could ask my doctor about? ## Hello, Cliff! How are you? Have you ever tried Risperdal? It has successfully helped many people for a variety of mental health issues, including depression, PTSD, schizophrenia and etc. It's very potent so tiny doses are often effective and the FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, somnolence and weight gain. It's an idea to ask your doctor about. Does anyone else have any ideas that may help? ## Try 2 m...

2 REPLIES

Is pristiq 25mg equal to effexor xr 37.5mg? Will the pristiq be stronger? Insurance will not pay for effexor but will pay for pristiq. ## When it comes to these medications, it really depends on which one works best for you and the only thing you can do is try the Pristiq to see if it helps you. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, mood swings, and weight changes. Have you started the Pristiq, yet?

1 REPLY

is pristiq a narcotic I NEED TO KNOW ## Hello, Joe! How are you? No, Pristiq contains the active ingredient Desvenlafaxine, is it an SNRI antidepressant. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight changes. Is there anything else I can help with? ## is it safe to take butal-50-apap-325-caff-40. And pristiq at the sametime? ## Hello, Carla! How are you feeling? I didn't find any interactions listed in the databases, such as the one provided by MedScape, but it's always best to double check such information for you own safety. You may experience a worsening of some side effects, such as the nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth that they both could cause. Are there any other questions or concerns? ## Joe, I take for a week and feel awful ## i t...

5 REPLIES

I want to know if I can take pristiq with brentillix? ## Hello, Lucy! How are you? No, these two should not be taken together, since they both increase serotonin levels and that creates the risk of your developing serotonin syndrome, which may be fatal. Has your doctor prescribed both of these medications? The FDA lists the typical side effects of antidepressants as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight changes. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

I was on venlafaxine 37mg and it made me more worse. I was on cymbalta and that worked great but it stopped working and now i am on zoloft but it's not working. I am thinking about pristiq but is it worth it over venlafaxine? ## It is a similar medication in the same class, but it is not exactly the same, so it may work better for you. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, mood swings, and weight changes. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

I have been taking 150mg of Pristiq since September; in October I started feeling indifferent about things - didn't care about work or decorating for the holidays; this has gotten worse; is this related to my dosage of Pristiq being too high or too low? ## It may be that your Pristiq dose is too high for you, or it might not be the right medication for you to take, according to FDA reports. Side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and other mood changes. Ref: Medline Plus Pristiq Are you on any other medications? Have you discussed this issue with your doctor?

1 REPLY

Been on this for 2 years and was doing fine but now depressive symptoms back I can function at work but then spend weekend sleeping. I exercise 6 days a week but feel joyless ## Hello, Lola! How are you? What dose are you taking? It is normal for your body to eventually get used to any medication you take for a long period of time and for it to stop working as well for you. The time frame can vary from person to person, so there's no way to say when it will happen. The FDA lists the typical side effects of this medication as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight changes. Have you consulted your doctor? You may need a dosage adjustment or to try a different medication. ## I've been on pristiq for 8 months. I did improve with depression and anxiety b...

4 REPLIES