Does Pristiq Cause Weight Gain? Pharmacists Answer 5 Pristiq FAQs
Key takeaways:
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an antidepressant medication. It’s FDA approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults. It’s not a controlled substance.
Pristiq doesn’t cause weight gain for most people. In studies, people experienced weight changes (gain or loss) of less than 2 lbs while taking Pristiq.
Pristiq may start working in as little as 2 weeks for some people who take it. But it often takes 4 to 8 weeks for it to be fully effective.
There are several ways to save on Pristiq. GoodRx can help you access brand-name Pristiq at an exclusive cash price of $200.10 per month. A manufacturer savings card and patient assistance program is also available.
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Table of contents
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an antidepressant medication. It’s a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). And it works by raising levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. Among other actions, these chemical messengers help regulate your mood.
If you’re just getting started with Pristiq, it’s common to have questions about it. Top of mind for many people is whether Pristiq causes weight gain. Others want to know how long it will take to work. Here, we’ll answer five frequently asked questions about Pristiq.
1. Does Pristiq cause weight gain?
Pristiq doesn’t typically cause weight gain. As a class of medication, SNRIs have a low risk for weight gain. Multiple studies have found that people taking Pristiq for depression didn’t have any significant body-weight changes. The average amount of weight change (lost or gained) by study participants was less than 2 lbs.
But not everyone has the same experience. It’s possible that some people may gain weight while taking Pristiq. Keep in mind that a decreased appetite can be a symptom of depression. It’s common for people to eat more as their antidepressant starts reducing depression symptoms. And this can lead to weight gain for some people.
If you notice body-weight changes that you’re uncomfortable with while taking Pristiq, tell your prescriber. They can help you develop a plan to help minimize weight gain.
2. How long does Pristiq take to work?
Like most antidepressants, Pristiq doesn’t work right away. Some people start to notice an improvement in depression symptoms about 2 weeks after they start it. But it generally takes 4 to 8 weeks for Pristiq to be fully effective.
If you’re not noticing any change to your symptoms after taking Pristiq for about a month (or if they get worse at any point), tell your prescriber. They may suggest changing your dosage or switching to another antidepressant.
Good to know: You may notice what looks like a tablet in your stool after you take Pristiq. This is normal, and it doesn’t mean the medication isn’t working. This is just the tablet’s indigestible outer shell. It helps the medication release slowly over several hours.
3. What is Pristiq used for?
Pristiq is FDA approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults. But some healthcare professionals may prescribe it off-label to treat anxiety disorders or hot flashes caused by menopause. There’s some evidence that Pristiq may be safe and effective for treating depression in children and adolescents.
4. Is Pristiq a controlled substance?
No, Pristiq is not a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a medication that has a risk for misuse and dependency. Pristiq doesn’t have these risks.
But Pristiq has a risk of withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it or lower the dosage too fast. This can happen with many antidepressants. This is called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, and it’s different from addiction. Pristiq doesn’t have a risk of addiction.
Antidepressants and weight gain: Pristiq has a low risk of causing weight gain. Here, our pharmacists review which antidepressants are most likely to affect body weight.
What’s the right dose? Pristiq has a standard starting dosage. But your kidney and liver function can affect what dosage you should take.
When do antidepressants start working? Most antidepressants take about 4 to 8 weeks to be fully effective. But some people may notice symptom improvement sooner.
5. What are the symptoms of Pristiq withdrawal?
Suddenly stopping or lowering your Pristiq dosage can cause withdrawal symptoms. These are typically mild but can be uncomfortable. Pristiq withdrawal symptoms may include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Anxiety
Flu-like symptoms
Trouble with balance
Trouble sleeping
Vivid dreams or nightmares
Dizziness
“Pins and needles” sensations
“Electric shock” sensations
Irritability
Restlessness
Pristiq withdrawal symptoms may appear within a few days of stopping the medication. They typically resolve on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.
The best way to lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms is to slowly decrease (“taper”) your dose of Pristiq. This is typically done over a period of several weeks to months. Your prescriber can help develop a tapering schedule that’s right for you.
How to save on Pristiq
There are ways to save on Pristiq, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of brand-name Pristiq at an exclusive cash price of $200.10. A 30-day supply of generic Pristiq may cost as low as $22.00 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $4 per month for Pristiq using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Pristiq’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.
The bottom line
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an antidepressant medication that’s FDA approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults. Pristiq doesn’t typically cause weight gain for most people. Studies show that people taking it experience weight changes (gain or loss) of less than 2 lbs.
Pristiq may start working about 2 weeks after you start it. But it often takes 4 to 8 weeks for the medication to be fully effective. Stopping Pristiq suddenly can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your prescriber before making any changes to your dosage.
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References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2024). Desvenlafaxine- desvenlafaxine tablet, extended release [package insert].
Atkinson, S., et al. (2019). Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of desvenlafaxine in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder: Results from two open-label extension trials. CNS Spectrums.
Findling, R. L., et al. (2014). Safety and tolerability of desvenlafaxine in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.
Gabriel, M., et al. (2017). Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Hussain, L. S., et al. (2023). Physiology, noradrenergic synapse. StatPearls.
Newhouser, L. M., et al. (2022). SSRIs vs. SNRIs for vasomotor symptoms of menopause. American Family Physician.
Tourian, K. A., et al. (2010). Desvenlafaxine and weight change in major depressive disorder. The Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
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