Talking to Your Family

Learn about treating depression with PRISTIQ

Depression is a real medical condition. But your family and friends may not understand what it's like to experience depression.

Help your friends and family understand that major depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It's not something you can "just snap out of." Depression can be a chronic condition. To be diagnosed with depression, your symptoms must meet strict clinical criteria.

To get the support you need from your friends and family, describe your symptoms and experiences with depression. Family and friends can help by:

Helping you get appropriate diagnosis and treatment
Providing emotional support
Encouraging you to continue your treatment as directed by your health care professional
Accompanying you to your health care professional's office
Helping to monitor your progress and stay on treatment
Learning and helping you carry out your health care professional's recommendations for lifestyle changes and any medication-related dietary restrictions
Encouraging you to participate in activities that once brought pleasure

Learning about depression and treatment options doesn't have to end here. View other Depression Resources that may be helpful.

Important Safety Information for PRISTIQ

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

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) 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 should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. PRISTIQ is not approved for use in children under 18.

People taking MAOIs should not take PRISTIQ.
All patients taking antidepressants should be observed closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal. This is very important when an antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. Patients should be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. These symptoms should be reported to the patient’s health care professional right away.
Tell your health care professional about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking or plan to take, including:
- Medicines to treat migraines or mood disorders, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition
- Aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, or blood thinners because they may increase the risk of bleeding
PRISTIQ may cause or make some conditions worse, so tell your health care professional about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be controlled before you start taking PRISTIQ and monitored regularly
- Have heart problems, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or a history of stroke
- Have glaucoma or increased eye pressure
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Have or had mania, bipolar disorder, or seizures or convulsions
- Have low sodium levels in your blood
- Are nursing, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant
Discontinuation symptoms may occur when stopping PRISTIQ, especially when therapy is stopped suddenly. Talk to your health care professional before you stop taking or reduce the dose of PRISTIQ.
Until you see how PRISTIQ affects you, be careful driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking PRISTIQ.
Side effects when taking PRISTIQ 50 mg may include nausea, dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite.

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Talking to Your Family

Important Safety Information for PRISTIQ

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Pfizer