Pristiq is a new antidepressant introduced on the market in 2008 and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Pristiq’s active component is desvenlafaxine succinate, which is shown in clinical trials to improve anxiety, along with the effects of bipolar and panic disorders.
The drug acts by inhibiting the reuptake of two neurotransmitters in the brain – norepinephrine and serotonin. When these two chemicals are increased in the brain, they cause patients to feel happy, secure, and even more social.
Pristiq and Anxiety
After being on the market for several months, many doctors and psychiatrists have switched unhappy patients using Effexor to Pristiq antidepressant prescriptions. Because Effexor has serious adverse side effects, patients who are looking for the “magic bullet” to improve anxiety levels and depression are trying Pristiq more frequently. Pristiq is also given at lower doses than Effexor, so its effects are stronger at safer antidepressant levels.
Even as some anxiety patients seem to show improvements, other people who suffer from both anxiety and severe depression are not impressed with results. As a result of its recent introduction compared to other drugs, many patients have tried Pristiq but complain of increased shaking and irritability from the antidepressant. They report less anxiety, but the side effects increase insomnia and nausea discomfort.
How SNRI Antidepressants Work
Neurotransmitters control the various functions in the nervous system. When nerve impulses are sent from neurons, neurotransmitters are released in synapses to complete the transmission of the signal. Serotonin and norepinephrine work on the central nervous system, controlling activities like temperature, behavior, and mood. Depleted levels of serotonin in particular are linked to anxiety and depression.
Antidepressants like SNRIs work by inhibiting the cells reuptake of the neurotransmitters, leaving the chemicals in the brain, increasing levels, and subsequently improving mood and depressive thoughts. It’s also thought that increased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine protect cells against glutamate sensitivity, which is associated with anxiety and depression.
Side Effects of Pristiq
All antidepressants have side effects. Each person has to find the best antidepressant medication that is right for their body chemistry. While Pristiq may work for some people, others find the drug weak and its side effects too unbearable. Pristiq should not be taken with other pills or herbs that increase serotonin like 5-HTP, Tryptophan, St. John’s Wort, Tramadol (Ultram) or other antidepressant medications.
Side effects of Pristiq include nausea, dizziness, and weight gain, and trouble breathing. Even with these difficulties, some patients think Pristiq is safer and more effective than Effexor, but if an antidepressant is working for a patient, switching to another can inhibit recovery. Some patients report weight gain while using antidepressants, so steps to increase activity and eat healthy are needed to combat this side effect.
If patients using Effexor or other antidepressants are unhappy with the current results, a change may be a needed. Before switching antidepressants, it's important to realize that effects of these drugs can take several weeks to show signs of improvement. A complement of antidepressants and psychological therapy is better than drugs alone.
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