It is taken once a day, with or without food.

It is available in brand and generic versions.

Pristiq is an SNRI.

Pills of Wyeth’s depression treatment Effexor,

Getty Images |Bloomberg/ Contributor

Uses of Pristiq

In the United States, Pristiq is approved to treatmajor depressive disorder.

Talk with your healthcare provider if side effects continue or are bothersome.

Understanding Effexor

The active ingredient in Effexor is venlafaxine.

Effexor was the first SNRI to be approved.

At low doses, Effexor acts more like aselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)and only increases serotonin.

At higher doses, Effexor acts like an SNRI and increases both serotonin and norepinephrine.

Depending on the dosage form and indication, Effexor is taken one to three times a day.

It should be taken with food to minimize stomach upset.

This is issued by the FDA and draws attention to the risks of the medication.

Suddenly stopping Pristiq or Effexor can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headache, and sweating.

It is important not to miss or skip doses of your medication.

Speak with your healthcare provider before stopping your medication.

Your medication will have to be gradually decreased.

Taking medications that affect serotonin levels can lead to a dangerous condition calledserotonin syndrome.

This risk is increased when taking Pristiqor Effexorwith other medications that affect serotonin.

Symptoms include:

Effexor is not approved for children but is sometimes used off-label for anxiety and depression disorders.

This will help determine if a medication is safe for you to take.

You should avoid other medications that increase this risk, such as Tikosyn (dofetilide).

Drinking alcohol while taking Pristiq or Effexor can increase the risk of side effects.

It can also lead to an increase in depressive symptoms.

This is not a complete list of drug interactions.

Speak with your healthcare provider for more information.

Who Should Be Cautious When Taking Pristiq and Effexor?

It is important to let your healthcare provider know about any past or current health conditions you have.

This will help determine if Pristiqor Effexor is safe for you to take.

Pristiq and Effexor both pass to breast milk.Speak with your healthcare provider if you plan to breastfeed your baby.

Summary

Pristiq and Effexor are both SNRIs approved to treat depression.

They work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

They both share similar side effect profiles and risks, such as withdrawal syndrome and serotonin syndrome.

Both Pristiq and Effexor are only approved for adults.Pristiq is FDA-approved to treat just depression.

Effexor is approved to treat depression and general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Choosing the best medication for you depends on many factors and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

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