Save on PRISTIQ

Create a Doctor
Discussion Guide

Get Depression
Updates

Important Safety Information About PRISTIQ

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy or when the dose is changed should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior such as becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Should these occur, report them to a doctor right away. PRISTIQ is not approved for use in children under 18.

See More Important Safety Information >

Common Side Effects

While the goal of taking PRISTIQ (desvenlafaxine) is to feel better, it’s important to know that everyone responds differently to medication. And when it comes to antidepressants, there are side effects. Many people shy away from—or stop taking—antidepressants due to side effects. It can take time to find the right medication for you. You and your doctor can determine if the benefits of treatment outweigh the burden of side effects. Always discuss any side effects you are experiencing with your doctor.

What are the most common side effects of PRISTIQ?

In clinical studies, the most common side effects with PRISTIQ 50 mg were:

Nausea
Dizziness
Sweating
Constipation
Decreased appetite

These are not all the possible side effects of PRISTIQ 50 mg. For a complete list of side effects, please see Section 6 of the full Prescribing Information.

If you’re concerned about side effects, talk to your doctor.

How often do people stop treatment due to side effects?

It may be helpful to know that in clinical studies with PRISTIQ, people given PRISTIQ and people given placebo (sugar pill) both reported experiencing side effects. A small percentage (4.1%) of people stopped taking PRISTIQ 50 mg due to side effects; a similar percentage (3.8%) of people given placebo also stopped due to side effects. The most common side effects leading to discontinuation were nausea, dizziness, headache, and vomiting.

Will I gain weight with PRISTIQ?

While people react differently to PRISTIQ, in 8 and 12-week studies there was no clinical difference in weight gain between people who took PRISTIQ 50 mg and those who took placebo (sugar pill). Longer term effect on weight has not been adequately studied.

Will PRISTIQ affect my sex drive?

While people react differently to PRISTIQ, in clinical studies there was a low occurrence of sexual side effects in men and women taking PRISTIQ 50 mg, similar to those who took placebo (sugar pill). Sexual side effects include decreased sex drive, as well as delayed orgasm and ejaculation. Side effects may increase with higher doses.

What if I want to stop taking PRISTIQ?

Stopping an antidepressant medicine, especially suddenly, can cause side effects called discontinuation symptoms. Your health care professional may want to reduce your dose slowly to help avoid these side effects. Some of these side effects may include:

Dizziness
Nausea
Headache
Irritability
Sleeping problems
(insomnia)

Anxiety
Abnormal dreams
Tiredness
Sweating
Diarrhea

Learn How to Take PRISTIQ

Important Safety Information About PRISTIQ

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy or when the dose is changed should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior such as becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Should these occur, report them to a doctor right away. PRISTIQ is not approved for use in children under 18.

Do not take PRISTIQ if you are allergic to desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, or any of the ingredients in PRISTIQ. Do not take PRISTIQ if you currently take, or have taken within the last 14 days, any medicine known as an MAOI (including intravenous methylene blue or the antibiotic linezolid). Allow 7 days after stopping PRISTIQ before starting an MAOI. Taking an MAOI with PRISTIQ can cause serious or even life-threatening side effects.

Before taking PRISTIQ, tell your healthcare professional about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take or plan to take including: those to treat migraines or psychiatric disorders (including other antidepressants) to avoid serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition; aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, or blood thinners because they may increase the risk of bleeding.

PRISTIQ may cause or worsen some conditions, so tell your healthcare professional about all the medical conditions you have or had including:

High blood pressure, which should be controlled before starting PRISTIQ and monitored regularly
Heart problems, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, a history of stroke, glaucoma or increased eye pressure, kidney or liver problems, or low sodium levels in your blood
Bleeding problems
Depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior
Mania, bipolar disorder, or seizures or convulsions
Nursing, pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant

Discontinuation symptoms may occur when stopping or reducing PRISTIQ, so talk to your healthcare professional before stopping or changing your dose.

Until you see how PRISTIQ affects you, be careful driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking PRISTIQ.

In clinical studies, most common side effects with PRISTIQ 50 mg were nausea, dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite.

INDICATION

PRISTIQ^® (desvenlafaxine) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning, and Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

*Terms and Conditions

By using the PRISTIQ Savings Card, you acknowledge that you currently meet the eligibility criteria and will comply with the terms and conditions described below:

The Card is not valid for prescriptions that are eligible to be reimbursed, in whole or in part, by Medicaid, Medicare, or other federal or state health care programs including any state prescription drug assistance programs and the Government Health Insurance Plan available in Puerto Rico (formerly known as “La Reforma de Salud”).
The Card is not valid for prescriptions that are eligible to be reimbursed by private insurance plans or other health or pharmacy benefit programs which reimburse you for the entire cost of your prescription drugs.
You will save either $15 or the amount of your co-pay/out-of-pocket cost, whichever is less. Card can only be used for up to 12 prescriptions per year.
You must deduct the value received under this program from any reimbursement request submitted to your insurance plan, either directly by you or on your behalf.
Cannot be combined with any other rebate/coupon, free trial, or similar offer for the specified prescription.
The Card will be accepted only at participating pharmacies.
This Card is not health insurance.
Offer good only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The Card is limited to one person during this offering period and is not transferable.
Pfizer reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend the program without notice.
No membership fees.
Card and program expire 6/30/2014.

Program expiration dates are sometimes extended. Confirm dates with your pharmacist.

For more information about the savings card call 1-800-842-6031 or write to:

PRISTIQ Savings Card,
6501 Weston Parkway, Suite 370,
Cary, NC 27513

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

The product information provided in this site is intended for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

Important Safety Information | Medication Guide for Patients | Prescribing Information |

Health Care Professionals \| Press Releases \| Unsubscribe \| Pfizer.com \|
Contact Us \| Privacy Policy \| Privacy Policy FAQs \| Terms of Use \| Site Map

PQP533710-01

The Science of Depression

Treating Depression

Healthy Living