New Med Pristiq

[Alleykatt34]

Just got back from the pdoc.  He prescribed Pristiq 50 mgs.  Says I "can" go as high as 400, but of course we are starting slow.  Anyone have any reactions good or bad with this?  He did tell me I won't feel anything probably 3-4 weeks, so I'm pretty anxious to get this started.

I am also on xanax, seroquel, and he just prescribed Lunesta because I haven't been sleeping and have had no luck with ambien.  

Thanks,
Alley

[sara12345]

Pristiq is not a first choice of doctors for an anti-depressant, but perhaps your doctor has a reason for you taking it.  Or perhaps you have tried other anti-depressants that haven't worked.  Effexor was the anti-depressant that worked for me out of the several that I tried. (I never tried a lot of them).  Pristiq is a newer upgraded version of it. So I am also taking 50 mg of Pristiq because it restored my sex drive after taking Effexor for many years.  It has helped me tremendously with severe depression from my severe disabilities and pain following a major stroke.  In my book, it is a miracle drug.  But 400 mg is an extremely high dose.  The normal dose is 50 mg, but you could possibly increase it to 100 mg IF it hasn't helped you at all after a month.  I would sincerely wonder about a doctor that would say that you could go up to 400 mg!  

I wouldn't be worried about taking it.  But everyone is different with medications.  Just give it a good try.  I always take it with food and sometimes my stomach will feel a bit nauseated which could be from the many other meds that I take.  I just drink a little bit of milk which calms my stomach right away.  Good luck. I would be interested to know how it works for you.

[Terri0707]

Be sure and read all the posts on weaning off pristiq. It is awful.

[Gina2Westies]

Have you tried Xanax as a sleep remedy instead of Lunesta?

[Jikan]

Namaste,

Pristiq is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (serotonin and norepinephrine), which helps to improve certain mood problems.

Pristiq is used to treat major depressive disorder.

You might experience some minor side effects, but you shouldn't have any problems taking this medication with the ones you are currently taking.

Michael