How long pristiq to work

All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please review before taking this medication. Desvenlafaxine is an antidepressant medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder MDD. Do not stop taking desvenlafaxine, even when you feel better. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Depression is also a part of bipolar illness.

People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees.

Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks.

Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks. The dose usually ranges from 50 mg to mg. Only your healthcare provider can determine the correct dose for you. The tablets should be swallowed whole. They should not be chewed, crushed, or broken. Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.

If you miss a dose of desvenlafaxine take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at Enrolling in a Pristiq detox program provides peace of mind with round-the-clock medical and clinical care, more comfortable withdrawal, and professional support to help you stay sober.

Unfortunately, there is no set timeline for Pristiq withdrawal because there are many different factors that may influence what kind of withdrawal symptoms you experience, how severe the symptoms are, and how long they last. Examples of factors that contribute to the timeline of Pristiq withdrawal include: 6. Generally, Pristiq withdrawal symptoms begin to appear between two and four days after the last dose.

Just like any other chronic medical condition, Pristiq addiction recovery requires ongoing treatment and management. This is a long-term process that may include treatment programs such as medical detox, inpatient rehab, IOP, sober living, aftercare, and community support groups.

Research shows that long-term drug rehab that lasts 90 days or longer provides clients with the best opportunity for sustained, lasting recovery and genuine life change. Pristiq rehab programs vary but high-quality evidence-based treatment programs often include the following aspects:. Inpatient and outpatient Pristiq rehab are two of the most common types of drug addiction programs that are available for people who need help overcoming a substance use disorder.

While both types of Pristiq rehab are highly focused on long-term and sustainable recovery, they are not the same. Knowing the main differences between the different types of Pristiq treatment programs can help you make a better decision about which is best for you. You can also ask an addiction treatment specialist or your doctor for recommendations. In residential rehab , clients:.

In outpatient rehab , clients:. While the cost of Pristiq rehab is often a barrier that keeps people from getting help for their addiction s , many drug rehab centers offer various payment methods that help reduce the financial burden. Depending on the facility, payment options for a Pristiq treatment program may include:. Both of these types of Pristiq treatment programs are ideal for people who are newly sober and need help in making the transition. Sober living programs provide safe and sober living environments for people who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

They are designed to provide personal and peer support, accountability for relapse prevention, and a supportive place to gradually adjust to a sober life and the responsibilities that come with it. Many sober living houses also offer structured programming and recovery support services, including:. The cost of a sober living home will vary depending on its location, amenities, and recovery support services offered, but payment is often collected monthly.

Aftercare consists of weekly recovery meetings that are hosted in a safe, clinical environment and led by a recovery support professional or counselor.

These groups offer an accepting and supportive environment where clients can feel free to talk about recovery-related personal issues, ask questions, and encourage their peers in recovery. Group meetings also provide additional opportunities for clients to cultivate healthy relationships and build upon the skills they gained in rehab. One review looked at the effect Pristiq had on body weight. The review looked at people who had taken Pristiq in studies for 2 months short-term studies and 9 months long-term studies.

People taking Pristiq in the short-term studies had an average weight loss of 1. Those taking a placebo treatment with no active drug over the same length of time had an average weight gain of 0. People taking Pristiq in a long-term study had an average weight gain of less than 2.

The same result was seen in people taking a placebo during the study. They can recommend tips for diet and exercise habits that can help you maintain a healthy weight during your treatment. Sexual problems often occur when taking antidepressants, including Pristiq. In clinical studies , the following sexual side effects were reported by men using Pristiq daily for 8 weeks:.

Sexual problems were also reported by some women taking Pristiq daily for 8 weeks during clinical studies. There were no reports of this side effect in women who were taking mg of Pristiq or a placebo each day. Sexual side effects are a common problem with many antidepressants. These side effects can improve over time.

However, switching your treatment to a different antidepressant can sometimes help. Your doctor will recommend if switching medications is a good option for you.

Insomnia trouble sleeping is a symptom of depression. However, problems with sleep were also reported in short-term clinical studies of Pristiq. In those taking the drug daily for 8 weeks, insomnia was reported by:.

If you have insomnia during Pristiq treatment, it may help to take your daily dose of the drug in the morning, instead of later in the day. Also, problems with sleep usually begin to improve in the first few weeks after starting Pristiq, as the antidepressant starts to work in your body.

If you continue to have problems sleeping after a few weeks of treatment, talk with your doctor about ways to improve your quality of sleep. A headache can be a symptom of more serious side effects of Pristiq. These side effects include closed-angle glaucoma , high blood pressure , and low sodium levels.

But if you get a more mild, typical type of headache, ask your pharmacist to recommend a medication to help relieve your pain. This side effect was seen in clinical studies of the drug. Of those taking Pristiq daily, increased sweating was reported by:. However, night sweats have been reported in people taking a very similar drug called venlafaxine.

They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect. However, diarrhea can be a symptom of serotonin syndrome, which is a side effect that can occur with Pristiq. Serotonin syndrome occurs when levels of a chemical called serotonin get too high in your body. If you have diarrhea along with any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. They can recommend whether you need medical attention. This side effect was seen in short-term clinical studies of the drug. Of those taking Pristiq daily for 8 weeks, constipation was reported in:.

If you feel constipated while taking Pristiq, make sure you drink plenty of water and include high-fiber foods in your diet. Doing gentle exercise, such as going for a walk, can also help ease constipation. As an added benefit, exercise is known to improve your mood and help relieve symptoms of depression. They can recommend ways to help treat this side effect.

Clinical studies found that this risk is higher in children, adolescents, and young adults under 25 years of age. This risk is highest during the first few months of treatment and after any changes to dosage. Pristiq is not approved for use in children people under 18 years of age. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline.

Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at The Pristiq dosage your doctor prescribes may depend on a few factors, including how well your liver and kidneys work. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Pristiq comes as extended-release tablets. You should continue taking 50 mg each day for as long as your doctor recommends. The maximum dose of Pristiq is mg each day. If you have liver or kidney problems, your maximum dosage may be lower. Higher doses of the drug are also more likely to cause side effects. If you forget to take a dose of Pristiq at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember.

Then, take your next dose at your usual time. Doing this can increase your risk of certain side effects. A medication timer may be useful, too. Pristiq is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Clinical guidelines for depression treatment recommend that you keep taking your antidepressant for 4 to 9 months after your depression symptoms improve. Staying on treatment helps reduce your risk of depression coming back.

In some people, depression is more likely to come back after they stop taking antidepressants. This helps lower your risk of your depression coming back. If you and your doctor determine that Pristiq is safe and effective for your depression, you may take the drug long term. Pristiq may also be used off-label for other conditions. MDD is another name for clinical depression.

MDD is a serious mental health condition. With MDD, you may feel sad and hopeless over a long period of time. You may also feel irritable, anxious, tired, and lacking energy. As well as having these feelings, you may also have physical symptoms, such as trouble sleeping or changes in your appetite.

These feelings and physical problems can have a significant impact on your daily life. In addition to the use listed above, Pristiq may be used off-label. And you may wonder if Pristiq is used for certain other conditions. Pristiq can reduce how many hot flashes you have and how severe they are. One review of studies looked at people taking desvenlafaxine the active drug in Pristiq. They can discuss with you all of your treatment options and recommend which options are safest for you.

One review looked at the effect that desvenlafaxine the active drug in Pristiq had on anxiety symptoms in people with major depressive disorder. The review found that desvenlafaxine improved anxiety symptoms in people with depression much more than a placebo treatment with no active drug improved their symptoms. One small week study looked specifically at using Pristiq to treat social anxiety disorder.

However, this study was small and only included 63 people. Larger studies are needed to know if Pristiq would be effective in treating social anxiety disorder. Many other antidepressants, including venlafaxine Effexor XR , are used to treat anxiety.

Venlafaxine is very similar to desvenlafaxine the active drug in Pristiq. Venlafaxine is approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

They can recommend treatment options that are safe and effective to treat your anxiety. Some other antidepressants are approved to treat OCD. With this condition, you may have obsessive repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety. You may do certain actions to help ease these thoughts and anxieties. They can recommend treatment options that are safe and effective to treat your condition.

Bipolar disorder formerly called manic depression is a mental illness that involves episodes of depression feeling sad or hopeless and episodes of mania having extreme levels of excitement and activity.

People with bipolar disorder may have unstable moods over long periods of time. Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat depression caused by bipolar disorder. However, the antidepressants usually have to be taken in combination with a mood-stabilizing drug. Otherwise, taking antidepressants alone can increase your risk of triggering a manic episode.

If you do have bipolar disorder, your doctor may recommend other medications for you to take with Pristiq. However, some other antidepressants are approved to treat certain types of pain. Examples of these types of pain include nerve pain and fibromyalgia. With fibromyalgia, people have long-term, widespread pain in their muscles and bones. One study looked at people with diabetic neuropathy. This is a painful condition resulting from nerve damage in people with diabetes.

Two other studies looked at people with fibromyalgia. Stopping Pristiq suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Doing so will help you avoid withdrawal symptoms. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk for having side effects from Pristiq. These side effects include:. Drinking alcohol can also make your depression symptoms worse. Other drugs are available that can treat major depressive disorder. Some may be better suited for you than others. Other SNRIs and drugs from other classes of medications are also available to treat depression.

They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. You may wonder how Pristiq compares to other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Pristiq and Effexor XR are alike and different.

Pristiq contains desvenlafaxine, while Effexor XR contains venlafaxine. Both drugs belong to a class of antidepressants called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs. A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way in your body. Desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine are closely related. Venlafaxine the drug in Effexor XR is metabolized broken down by your liver. Desvenlafaxine is known as an active metabolite of venlafaxine. When you take venlafaxine, most of the antidepressant effect in your body is actually produced by desvenlafaxine.

MDD is often called depression. Pristiq is taken by mouth once daily. It should be swallowed whole, and it can be taken with or without food. Effexor XR comes as extended-release capsules.