Key takeaways:
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a prescription medication used to treat depression. The recommended dosage for adults is one 50 mg tablet by mouth per day.
Pristiq also comes as a 25 mg tablet that’s used to help you stop taking the medication safely. It’s also used for people with kidney problems who need a lower dose of Pristiq.
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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Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an oral medication used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of prescription medications called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Below, we’ll look at typical Pristiq dosages for adults. Your healthcare provider might prescribe a different dosage than what’s listed in our guide. It’s important to only take Pristiq as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
What dosage forms does Pristiq come in?
Pristiq is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg extended-release tablets. Pristiq tablets should not be crushed, cut, chewed, or dissolved. They’re designed to release medication slowly over the course of the day. If you cut or break the tablet, you could get a whole day’s worth of medication in a short period of time, which could be harmful to your health.
What’s the typical Pristiq dosage for adults?
Pristiq is FDA approved to treat depression. And the approved dosage is 50 mg by mouth once daily. You can take it with or without food, and it’s best to take it at the same time every day.
If you don’t respond well to a 50 mg dose, your healthcare provider may decide to try a higher dose. Doses of up to 400 mg were used in clinical studies, but doses over 50 mg didn’t show additional benefit. Higher doses did show a greater chance of side effects. But because everyone responds differently to medication, a higher dosage may be helpful if you don’t get enough relief from 50 mg.
You shouldn’t stop taking Pristiq suddenly because doing so could cause discontinuation syndrome. Instead, there’s a 25 mg tablet available to help you gradually lower your dose safely. When the time comes, your healthcare provider will give you instructions for how to gradually stop taking Pristiq.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
If you have other medical conditions — such as kidney or liver problems — you might need a different dosage of Pristiq.
Dosage for people with kidney problems
If you have kidney problems, your body might break down and get rid of Pristiq more slowly. Because of that, your healthcare provider might prescribe a lower dosage.
If you have moderate kidney problems, you shouldn’t take more than more than 50 mg of Pristiq per day. If you have severe kidney problems, you shouldn’t take more than 50 mg every other day. It’s also OK to take 25 mg every day.
Dosage for people with liver problems
If you have liver problems, you might need to take a lower dosage of Pristiq. While it’s usually OK to take 50 mg per day, if you have moderate or severe liver problems, you shouldn’t take more than 100 mg per day.
What happens if you miss a dose of Pristiq?
It’s natural to forget to take your medicine from time to time. If you forget to take a dose of Pristiq, you should take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the regular dose. Don’t take two doses at once.
If you miss more than one dose of Pristiq, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider. They’ll be able to help you get back on track with your dosing. They can also give you tips to help you remember to take your medication every day.
What should you do if you take too much Pristiq?
If you accidentally take an extra dose of Pristiq, it’s unlikely to cause serious problems. But taking large amounts of Pristiq can lead to serious side effects, especially when combined with other medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol.
A Pristiq overdose can lead to a rapid heart beat, drowsiness, and vomiting. It can also lead to more serious side effects, such as seizures, an irregular heartbeat, or serotonin syndrome.
If you or a loved one takes too much Pristiq, seek emergency care or contact Poison Control online or by calling 1-800-222-1222.
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 $19.80 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 is an SNRI medication approved to treat depression. The usual dosage for adults is 50 mg by mouth once daily. But doses of 100 mg per day have been used in some people. If you have kidney or liver problems, you might need a lower dosage of Pristiq. If you have questions about how to take Pristiq, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
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References
Zydus Pharmaceuticals. (2023). DESVENLAFAXINE - desvenlafaxine tablet, extended release [package insert].
