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Pristiq is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that effectively reduces depression symptoms.
Access, fast, affordable depression treatment and a Pristiq prescription if it’s right for your symptoms. Get an appointment often in 24 hours or less.* No insurance needed. And no hidden fees.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Hetrick
What is Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)?
Pristiq is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2008. It’s active ingredient — and generic name — is desvenlafaxine.
A pooled analysis of different studies found that it can improve symptoms of depression in as little as 1 week.
It’s used off-label (for something it’s not FDA-approved for) for the treatment of anxiety, panic disorder, menopausal hot flashes, and other forms of depression too.
It comes as an extended-release tablet you take once a day.
How does Pristiq work?
Pristiq helps with depression by influencing 2 key brain chemicals: serotonin and norepinephrine. These 2 neurotransmitters act as messengers between nerve cells. By preventing the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and norepinephrine, Pristiq helps keep their levels elevated.
Higher levels of serotonin and norepinephrine are thought to help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Pristiq’s impact on brain chemicals isn’t immediate. It can take a week or 2 before you notice improvements in depression or anxiety symptoms.
Who can take Pristiq for depression?
Pristiq is FDA-approved for people over 18 who have major depressive disorder (MDD). If your healthcare provider thinks you’ll benefit from Pristiq for other needs, such as other forms of depression or anxiety, they can prescribe it for you off-label.
How to get a Pristiq prescription online
To get Pristiq, you need a prescription. You can work with a trained, licensed healthcare provider, such as a primary care provider (PCP), psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP), physician’s assistant/associate (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP), to find out if a Pristiq prescription is right for you.
Find a caring, board-certified provider with experience in treating depression, sometimes with medication like Pristiq, on Klarity Health.
If you and your provider decide Pristiq or generic desfenlafaxine is right for you, your prescription can be sent to any online or local pharmacy by your provider, or you can deliver or send it yourself.
How to use Pristiq and Pristiq dosages
Pristiq and generic desvenlafaxine are an extended-release pill you take by mouth once a day. The tablets come in 25-, 50-, and 100-milligrams. The recommended dose is 50 milligrams. The maximum dose (highest dose) of Pristiq is 400 milligrams a day. In clinical trials, Pristiq doses higher than 50 milligrams a day weren’t shown to be more effective than lower doses.
Your provider will likely start you at the 50-milligram dose (lower if you have kidney or liver issues). If a 50-milligram dose doesn’t reduce your symptoms, your doctor may increase your dose to find the right dose for you.
You can take Pristiq with or without food. You should take the tablets around the same time each day. You want to take them whole and not crush, divide, chew, or dissolve them first.
If you stop taking Pristiq, do so gradually. Slowly reducing your dose can help prevent discontinuation symptoms like nausea, sweating, dizziness, and irritability.
Pristiq side effects and warnings
If you have side effects on Pristiq, you’ll most likely experience nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, or vomiting. You may also experience insomnia, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), constipation, decreased appetite, and anxiety.
More serious side effects are possible, but less common, and can include hypersensitivity, low sodium levels (hyponatremia), elevated blood pressure, and seizure.
Pristiq comes with a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in 18- to 24-year olds. In studies of adults taking Pristiq, there weren’t enough reported cases of suicidal thoughts or behaviors to determine if the medication had any impact on suicide risk. If you take Pristiq and experience thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm, tell your therapist or psychiatrist right away.
Be sure to talk to your provider and/or pharmacist about all potential side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications for Pristiq.
What does Pristiq cost?
According to drugs.com, the cost of 30 extended-release Pristiq tablets is about $470 with its discount and regardless of dose.
Desvenlafaxine, the generic version of Pristiq, costs less than the brand name. According to drugs.com, the price for 30 extended-release 25-milligram or 100-milligram tablets is about $97. And 30 extended-release 50-milligram tablets are about $75.
Pfizer, the manufacturer of Pristiq, also offers a savings card. With the card, you can pay as little as $4 for a 30-day supply of brand-name Pristiq.
How does Pristiq compare to other depression medications?
Pristiq is comparable to other SNRIs approved to treat MDD. Some studies comparing Pristiq to Effexor (venlafaxine) found that Pristiq was equally effective but better tolerated and produced fewer side effects than Effexor.
In another study, Cymbalta (duloxetine), which is also an SNRI, was compared to Pristiq and found to be as effective. But Pristiq produced fewer and milder symptoms than Cymbalta.
Pristiq tends to be one of the top choices for treating major depressive disorder if you want an effective drug with a low risk of side effects.
SNRIs, like Pristiq, may not be the right choice for everyone. And other classes of antidepressant medications are available.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work like SNRIs but focus on increasing serotonin levels instead of serotonin and norepinephrine. SSRIs are usually better tolerated, with fewer side effects than SNRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are typically a third treatment choice. They target more neurotransmitters than SSRIs or SNRIs. They are an older class of drugs that often have more side effects and are usually recommended when SSRIs or SNRIs aren’t working for you.
Only you and your healthcare provider can decide which medication is right for you.
Learn more about:
Cymbalta vs Pristiq | Effexor vs Pristiq | SSRIs vs SNRIs | SSRIs vs tricyclics | SNRIs vs tricyclics
With Klarity Health, you’re in good company
Reviews from real patients who received treatment from providers on Klarity Health.
How it works
Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique depression treatment needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Have your initial patient visit
Your journey to reduced depression symptoms starts with an initial consultation. Your provider will work with you to recommend the right depression treatment for you and that may or may not include prescription medication and/or counseling.
Work with your provider on your progress
Your initial depression consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and are reaching your goals. You stay on track with ongoing support from your provider(s) and medication refills if needed.
Access 24×7 support from Klarity Health
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Health Patient Support team is there to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout treatment.
Why choose a provider on Klarity Health?
Choose from a growing list of licensed, board-certified providers
Have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.*
No insurance needed — get reimbursed from insurance or use your FSA or HSA.
FAQs about Pristiq
Learn more about Pristiq and about depression medications
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See all posts*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide any medical services.
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All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide any medical services.
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988. Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741-741
Phone:
Fax:
(855) 975-3008
PO Box 5098 Redwood City, CA 94063
100 Broadway Street, Redwood City CA, 94063
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988. Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741-741
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