Information for Health Care Professionals
Print this Page

Taking PRISTIQ

Simple once-daily 50-mg dose

With PRISTIQ, the starting dose is the recommended therapeutic dose. The recommended dose for PRISTIQ is 50 mg once daily. There is no need to gradually increase the dose to reach the recommended therapeutic dose. However, some health care professionals may prescribe a different dose of PRISTIQ. Take PRISTIQ exactly as your health care professional has prescribed, and let him or her know if you have questions. Be sure to tell your health care professional if you have kidney problems, because you may need a different dose.

When stopping PRISTIQ, your health care professional may gradually reduce your dose. Do not stop taking PRISTIQ without first talking to your health care professional.

How you should take PRISTIQ

  • Take PRISTIQ at about the same time each day.
  • PRISTIQ may be taken with or without food.
  • Swallow PRISTIQ tablets whole with water. Do not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve PRISTIQ tablets because the tablets are time released.

As with any medication, you may experience side effects when taking PRISTIQ. In clinical studies at the 50-mg dose, the most common side effect with PRISTIQ was nausea. It was generally mild to moderate and occurred most frequently during the first week of treatment. Other side effects included dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite. In general, side effects occurred most frequently during the first week of treatment in clinical studies. This is not a complete list of side effects (see Important Safety Information). In clinical studies of the recommended 50-mg dose, the percentage of people who stopped taking PRISTIQ due to side effects was similar to placebo (sugar pill).

If you miss a dose of PRISTIQ

  • Take it as soon as you remember.
  • If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
  • Don't try to "make up" for the missed dose by taking two doses at the same time.

Do not take more than the prescribed daily amount of PRISTIQ

  • If you take more PRISTIQ than the amount prescribed, contact your health care professional immediately.
  • In case of an overdose, call your health care professional and/or poison control center or go to the emergency room right away.

Do not take PRISTIQ if you

  • Are allergic to desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, or any of the ingredients in PRISTIQ.
  • Currently take or have recently taken an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor).