Pristiq is an antidepressant of the SNRI class. However, desvenlafaxine is used for more than just depression. Before taking the medication, patients should understand Pristiq uses and its mechanism of action.
Learn About Pristiq Uses And MOA:
- Is Pristiq Used For Depression?
- Does Pristiq Treat Anxiety?
- Is Pristiq Used To Treat Menopause?
- Is Pristiq A Treatment For Bipolar Disorder?
- Can Pristiq Safely Treat OCD?
- Does Pristiq Treat Fibromyalgia?
- When Should Pristiq Be Taken?
- What Is The Pristiq Mechanism Of Action?
- How Long Does It Take For Pristiq To Work?
- What Are Desvenlafaxine Warnings?
Pristiq For Depression
Although there are numerous desvenlafaxine uses, there is only one FDA-approved application of the drug. This is the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). It was the third-ever SNRI drug approved to treat depression.
According to numerous studies, the drug is highly effective in treating the condition, even at lower doses. Because the SNRI class has fewer side effects and interactions than older antidepressants, desvenlafaxine is a fairly popular choice to use. However, that does not mean it is the right choice for all patients looking to treat their depression. Patients should examine all information on Pristiq use with a doctor before making a decision.
Pristiq For Anxiety
It is common for antidepressants to also be used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. Limited studies have found that unlike some medications in its class, anxiety treatment is not among the things desvenlafaxine should be used for.
At best, it has been found to have roughly the same effect as a placebo when treating anxiety alone, though it can improve anxiety caused by depression. In some cases, it can actually increase the symptoms of anxiety disorders. As such, there is not considered to be a safe and effective Pristiq dosing for anxiety use at this time.
Pristiq For Menopause
While it is not among the desvenlafaxine indications, the medication is used to treat some symptoms of menopause. It is considered to be an alternative to hormone therapy. Specifically, its use can reduce the occurrence of moderate to severe hot flashes and sleep disturbances associated with menopause.
However, when compared with estrogen supplements, the effects are not nearly as strong, meaning that women who can have hormone therapy may be better off taking that route. Users should compare the side effects of Pristiq with those of hormones before making a decision to use desvenlafaxine.
Pristiq For Bipolar Disorder
Depression caused by bipolar disorder is radically different from that caused by major depressive disorder. While it might seem logical that if what desvenlafaxine treats is depression, it should work for all forms of the disorder, that is not the case.
Bipolar disorder requires the use of mood-stabilizing drugs. Anyone diagnosed with the condition will need to take these medications instead of desvenlafaxine or in addition to the medication. Desvenlafaxine use alone cannot treat bipolar disorder.
Pristiq For OCD
Antidepressants are frequently used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD. However, desvenlafaxine’s effectiveness as a form of OCD treatment has yet to be studied. This means that its use might be effective at managing the condition, though there is also the possibility that it will have no impact or even make the disorder worse. If a patient’s doctor suggests the use of Pristiq for OCD treatment, they should ask about alternatives with a proven track record.
Pristiq For Fibromyalgia
The use of desvenlafaxine for pain is currently being studied, meaning it is not yet known if it can treat fibromyalgia or not. While this is not among the desvenlafaxine indications at this time, it is common for antidepressants to be used to treat chronic pain conditions, and there is a strong chance that it will be proven effective.
Some doctors already use desvenlafaxine for pain treatment, especially that caused by diabetic neuropathy. However, this is not advisable given the effectiveness has yet to be proven. Patients interested in desvenlafaxine use for pain could ask their doctor about alternatives within the antidepressant class until the study results are finalized.
When To Take Pristiq
There isn’t a specific time of day when it is best to take desvenlafaxine. The prescribing doctor can work with the patient to determine what time is best based on their habits, what is being treated, and when their symptoms tend to be the strongest.
The one thing that is recommended is that Pristiq is taken at the same time each day. This ensures the amount of medication in the body remains more or less consistent, and there is less of a risk of accidental overdose. Users who struggle to remember to take desvenlafaxine should set reminders to keep them on schedule.
Pristiq Mechanism Of Action
While desvenlafaxine uses are many, how the medication works is not fully understood. Even Pfizer, the manufacturer of the name brand drug, admits that the mechanism of action is unknown.
What is known is that it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. How the medication accomplishes this is what is not yet understood. While this may sound like it is then also unknown if the medication is effective, Pristiq indications have been carefully studied and these results repeated, meaning that even if the MOA is not fully known, the medicine does work.
How Long It Takes For Pristiq To Work
The time it takes the effects of desvenlafaxine to work will vary from patient to patient. Some report noticing changes in energy levels and sleep just a couple of weeks into treatment. However, it is generally understood that, as is the case with most antidepressants, it will take six to eight weeks before the full effects of the medication will be felt.
Users should keep in mind that these indicate the average time for Pristiq to work and are not guaranteed. Others may feel effects much sooner while others may need to wait as long as three months.
Desvenlafaxine Warnings
While it is considered a safe medication, that does not mean that using desvenlafaxine is risk-free. In fact, there are numerous warnings about the medication issued by the FDA.
Perhaps the biggest associated with desvenlafaxine use is the black box warning the medication carries. This means that the use of the medication has been associated with a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Certain populations are considered more vulnerable, such as children and older adults. As such, they must be carefully monitored while on the medication.
Other risks of desvenlafaxine use include:
- Serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome development
- The development of elevated blood pressure
- Abnormal bleeding
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Activation of mania and hypomania
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cholesterol and triglyceride elevation
- Discontinuation symptoms
- Renal impairment
- Seizure
- Hyponatremia
- Interstitial lung disease and eosinophilic pneumonia
Patients considering starting the drug should be aware of all of the above risks, as well as the Pristiq withdrawal duration should they choose to stop taking the drug. It is critical that users weight the pros and cons of the medicine, including the Pristiq price, before they begin taking it.
When Pristiq Use Becomes Dangerous
Ultimately, there are safe and unsafe ways to use Pristiq. Should someone begin misusing the medication, help is required. Drug rehabilitation centers know how to help users beat addiction to antidepressants while still caring for their mental health. The addiction treatment services in such facilities are often individualized to ensure long-standing recovery.
Page Sources
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