Pristiq and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mis...
• June 3, 2015

For Depression "I am currently 21 years old, but started taking Pristiq a few years ago. I had previously tried Prozac, then Effexor, but I couldn't see much of a difference. Once I started taking Pristiq 50 mg, I felt the results within the same week. It was great. However, whenever I missed a day, I would feel the adverse side effects almost immediately. Brain zaps, depersonalization, dizziness, foggy thoughts, nausea, sweating, crying spells, headaches... I eventually got off of it (I honestly don't know how), but it was a very difficult 2-week process. Two years later, I am back on Wellbutrin (after a bad experience with Lexapro). Pristiq was definitely effective but extremely addictive. Not something I'd recommend without reservation."

• Jay...
• October 16, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Pristiq has a rough first 3 days for some, but I tend to just feel...weird, agitated at worst. After the initial adjustment, I have seen a real good turnaround. I'm able to go about my day and get things done, I no longer have this film of benign sadness overlaying all my other moods. I'm mostly asexual, so I'm not much affected by the drop in libido. I can have fun at nightclubs and not be overwhelmed by all the stimuli. My memory is better, and while my appetite is bigger than before, it feels different than the frantic anxiety that caused me to overeat off the meds. I can easily drink some water and be satiated till next mealtime. The withdrawal symptoms are disorienting and extremely unpleasant: nausea, brain zaps, and mania that's on the more angry side. Just take exactly as prescribed and be prepared if you're switching medications. TLDR: It does its job and does it well. It takes more effort to do sexy things, but worth it. Don't take unless you plan to be on it for a while."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2009

For Anxiety "I can only say good things about Pristiq. I was on Lexapro for about three years and gained about 35 pounds. My doctor switched me to Pristiq. The hardest part was weaning off the Lexapro and the couple of weeks it took for my body to adjust to a new medicine. It has been about a month now, and I absolutely feel great, energized, my appetite seems more normal. I have lost three pounds in four weeks. Not bad since I wasn't really trying. The unusual changes I noticed at first on Pristiq were really weird dreams, and sometimes at night I felt a little tense. But now I just feel great. Also unusual in my case, my doctor told me to take it in the morning, but I was afraid of nausea, so I take it at night."

• sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2018

For Depression "I took this drug for about six months. Headaches, weight gain, nausea, dizziness and head spins, sleepless nights, and my libido went out the window, and I haven't found it since. When I finally went off the drug, the withdrawal was so bad that I wanted the world to know this drug should not be on the market. It is horrible and it messes you up. Yes, it did help with the depression a bit, but no better than some of the other ones out there. Worst drug I have ever been on, including my RA drugs."

• Kas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2023

For Depression "I was on Pristiq for about 4 years. And 3 years before that, I was on other antidepressants, i.e., Paxil and Zoloft. The good thing was with Pristiq I did not gain weight as I did with Paxil (20 lbs!!). And I seemed to be functioning quite well. But over time, I started to notice I was not acting like or feeling like myself anymore. I lost interest in things, didn't want to be around people, and felt strange. So I decided to taper down to the lowest dose, 25 mg, and then stop it altogether. And it was very difficult to get off. The withdrawal was terrible. It created flu-like symptoms, and the worst was nausea, chills, and sweating. Then... new symptoms appeared... irrational thinking, intrusive thoughts, and feelings of not being in control (for no reason). The withdrawal lasted several months until my body finally learned how to function off the medicine. Now my brain is doing much better, and I just practice self-help, eat a clean diet, and exercise. And I don't hold stuff in anymore."

• Anonymous
• November 16, 2011

For Depression "I am so thankful for this medication. After years of self-medicating for untreated depression, anxiety, ADD, and mild bipolar and trying other antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Celexa, and Effexor, which is supposedly similar to Pristiq but all gave me nasty side effects), I was given samples of Pristiq and decided to give it another try. Within days, I was back on the right track and feeling better. The only side effects, which went away quite quickly, were mild nausea and loss of appetite. I have realized some people, like myself, just need medications like Pristiq to live a somewhat 'normal' life... nothing to be ashamed of. A diabetic needs insulin... I need Pristiq. Thank you for giving me my life back."

• Lov...
• December 14, 2011

For Depression "Before taking Pristiq, I had never taken any anti-depressants and did not want to. However, I knew something was seriously wrong with me because I had lost interest in all the activities that I had once loved. I wanted to sleep all the time, and I felt so disconnected from everyone and everything around me. Being a mother of two wonderful children and the wife of a great husband, I felt like a complete failure because, in my own way of thinking, I had no reason to feel like this or be depressed. After seeking help from my doctor, I started taking Pristiq and noticed a change in the course of one week. I had some slight nausea at first, but the overall change it has made in my life has been great! I now enjoy and look forward to every day."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 26, 2018

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq 100 mg for 4 years. I wanted to begin to taper off them, and over the last few months have cut to 50 mg and am now on my fourth day completely off the medication. I’m having extremely difficult withdrawals, including sweating, a feeling of hopelessness, crying spells up to 20 times a day, nausea, painful headaches, and brain zaps (sounds like zapping and poking behind my eyes), little to no energy. I’m also finding it hard to wake up in the morning. I have a very strong mindset of wanting to come off this medication, and I realize the symptoms are my body trying to heal itself. I strongly urge anyone wanting to taper off this medication to make sure you have support and someone to monitor you."

• KRo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2021

For Depression "I don't like this drug. I switched to it thinking it would be better than Cymbalta, but it was not! I am done with these awful drugs and big pharma trying to make money off others' misery! I had nausea, sexual side effects, my menstrual cycle changed, night sweats, hot all the time, anxiety, weight gain, etc....! It is not worth it. The side effects are worse than any depression ever was! Not to mention, all it did was make me numb. I am proud to say I have been off of this for almost a week. I will never take this med again."

• Let...
• February 6, 2013

For Depression "20, female. I've been taking 100 mg for 18 months. I feel a lot better than what I did in regards to my depression, but I feel nauseous 70% of the time, and if I accidentally forget a pill, I feel absolutely awful. Bizarre dreams, incredibly tired, diarrhea, and paresthesia. I'm afraid to stop taking it for good because of what it does to me, something I'll be discussing with my doctor."

• Jlo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 25, 2019

For Depression "I have not had any side effects. No constipation, dry mouth, or vivid dreams like I had with Wellbutrin time-released. The generic Pristiq does not work for me, the coating is different too. I was recently put on a higher dose, so I take brand name Pristiq 50 mg and a 25 mg because they don’t make a name brand 75 mg, only generic, which doesn’t work for me either. If I skip a dose of my medication, I’m okay, but after the second skipped dose, I become nauseous, dizzy, and shaky. That’s why I keep an extra dose in my purse so I’ll never miss a dose going forward."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have major depression and horrible anxiety since childhood. I have been on Pristiq for 3 years. I tried many, many antidepressants, and they either didn't work, or the side effects were so awful I had to discontinue before it worked. I'm sensitive to medication, but had no problems with Pristiq. I never have had the foggy/zombie feeling like other antidepressants can cause. It worked really well for about 2 1/2 years (really stopped working when I was switched to generic). Now I am slowly tapering off onto a new med. Just be careful coming off Pristiq. I went 5 days without it (issues with insurance and the doctor's office), and it was a living nightmare! Full-blown panic attacks, dizziness, severe nausea, brain zaps, and out of touch with reality. Overall, I would recommend Pristiq. Everyone's body is different, but it worked wonders for me!"

• CLW...
• April 6, 2009

For Depression "I've been on Pristiq for a week and already feel like a new person. I was EXTREMELY hesitant to take the medication because I had tried other antidepressants in the past without success, plus there seems to be nothing but negative written about the drugs. I take no other medications and am a healthy 42-year-old. I had a few days of nausea, which was relieved mostly by taking the medication in the morning with food. I have a little dry mouth and use the bathroom a little less, but otherwise have no side effects. I feel like a film was lifted off me. It's hard to explain. I hope to continue to feel as balanced as I do now. I'm taking this for anxiety and dysthymic depression. The drug company offers assistance with co-payment."

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "36 yr old female. Dx of severe depression and anxiety. After getting through the first couple of weeks of almost debilitating headaches, loss of appetite (which I'm already underweight and have tried everything to gain some lbs), insomnia (isn't new for me, but it just makes it much worse), and extreme nausea and overall feeling of complete garbage, this medication has been amazing for me. I had tried just about all of the main antidepressants, and this one has truly helped me so much. I just have a very hard time remembering to take it. After missing just a day or two, when I start to take it again, I have to go through the awful feeling from the side effects all over again."

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "36 yr old female. Dx of severe depression and anxiety. After getting through the first couple of weeks of almost debilitating headaches, loss of appetite (which I'm already underweight and have tried everything to gain some lbs), insomnia (isn't new for me, but it just makes it much worse), and extreme nausea and overall feeling of complete garbage, this medication has been amazing for me. I had tried just about all of the main antidepressants, and this one has truly helped me so much. I just have a very hard time remembering to take it. After missing just a day or two, when I start to take it again, I have to go through the awful feeling from the side effects all over again."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2017

For Depression "My PCP prescribed Pristiq for my depression, anxiety, mood issues, etc. He told me that the drug takes a few weeks before you could see a difference, but I feel like I experienced everything the first day I took the drug. Although my mood and energy improved and I felt better overall, the side effects were so severe I decided to discontinue after the first day. My side effects started with heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and a faint feeling. This later subsided but turned into nausea and loss of appetite, I couldn't eat anything that day, and even water made me gag. That night I slept for a total of 3 hours. I couldn't stay asleep, and the time I did fall asleep, it felt like I wasn't asleep at all. My body felt numb, and my heart was racing."

• Hea...
• July 13, 2011

For Anxiety "I was very reluctant to go on medication, but my anxiety, which was overwhelming, increased to such an extent I was very unmotivated professionally and personally. For the first 3 days, I felt very nauseous and had little appetite, which was great as it stopped that overeating I had. I lost 2 kg within the first few days, and then suddenly the nausea was gone, my head was very clear, I have been able to concentrate again, and am genuinely surprised at its effect only a week and a half in."

• ShB...
• June 9, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I had headaches and nausea during the initial adjustment phase when starting Pristiq (for MDD). The only real long-term side effects I’ve had are that I definitely find it much harder to concentrate, and I’m pretty flat all the time. I don’t get the highs, but more importantly, I don’t get the lows, which I have no doubt would have ended my life. It has allowed me to deal with what would normally be very stressful situations (redundancy, loss of contact with siblings) with ease, as it just stops things from getting on top of me, and I have more of a ‘whatever’ attitude, which at times makes me feel like an emotionless robot. I remind myself of how I used to deal with these situations, and being a robot is FAR better for both me and my family. Anyone thinking of trying Pristiq needs to give it time, as there will be an adjustment period. You can’t make any decisions after a week or two. You need to do at least a month to 6 weeks for everything to adjust and settle down to see how it’s really working for you."

• ltv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 28, 2016

For Depression "I began taking Pristiq in 2008 as a supplement to Wellbutrin. When I missed a dose, I became very ill with flu-like symptoms so severe, I felt it was not safe for me to drive a car. This made me feel as though this drug was not good for me, so I finally took myself off of it in 2015. It took the entire month of July (I stopped Pristiq July 1st and nausea and dizziness did not end until early August - I kept track of my symptoms on a calendar), and as of today, the end of February 2016, my digestion has still not returned to normal. Pristiq was developed by the manufacturer to replace the profits from another popular drug that reached the generic zone. I consider it a 'bad drug.'"

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been taking Pristiq since June 2009-almost 9 months. I don't think I really had a clue at how depressed and anxious I was until I started on these medicines. I remember going out on a boat and water skiing with no hesitations, like the good old days! It was a beautiful thing! I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, and it literally consumed me for two years. I would break down in doctor's offices regularly and started having panic attacks in the middle of the night, and then finally during the day. My side effects are on and off night sweats, and if I miss a pill, I would have nausea and light-headedness, but otherwise, sex is good! It seems to work! Had weight loss = 5 lbs."

• sev...
• December 11, 2009

For Depression "This is the 5th week that I have been on this medicine. I have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of a traumatic incident 1 1/2 years ago. I have suffered with depression for most of my adult life. I have had extreme nausea, weight loss, which I do not need. The worst thing has been the 'extreme' anger and aggression I have been feeling. I have started swearing all the time, which is not me. I cry at the drop of a hat. I don't have children, but I feel like hitting my pets at times. I would never hurt my pets, but these feelings scare me. I have recently stopped taking it. It may be a miracle drug for some, but for me, it's been a nightmare."

• klo...
• April 27, 2009

For Depression "I learned that it is best to take Pristiq in the morning because it is a stimulating, time-release drug. I try to take it by 9 a.m. It can affect sleep if you take it later. I had decreased appetite and some nausea, so take with food in the morning. I avoided any caffeine and alcohol, as that can increase side effects."

• Nig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2016

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for ages, it did not work for me. I felt continuously nauseated. I became numb of all feeling and lost who I was along the way. In December 2015, I had unrelenting vomiting, this included vomiting back all medication. After 10 days, I was a screaming heap. I went to the doctor, who prescribed Maxalon for the vomiting, this didn't work, so back I went, this time, Stemetil. Still vomiting, and by now off Pristiq, I felt awful for ages. Gradually, I noticed that although I still felt nauseated, I was not as cranky, irritable, and stressed. I am still struggling with the withdrawal symptoms, however, I am coping better without the medication than I thought possible. Why is it that doctors do not listen to you when you are on medication for depression?"

• Bea...
• February 2, 2012

For Anxiety "I started taking Pristiq about 5 weeks ago. I was experiencing some nausea at first, but after about two weeks it faded. About three weeks in, I forgot to take the medicine for three days and completely plummeted into a dangerous pool of emotion. I have been on one other medication, Celexa, and what I like about Pristiq is that I am still able to experience a wide range of emotions. When I was on Celexa, I was a little bit numb to things and wasn't able to cry at all. With Pristiq, I am more focused and I am happier."

• Ela...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "It's been nearly 2 years on various doses of Pristiq, and 100 mg each day works best for my mind. Thankfully, I have some side effects that annoy me a lot, like no appetite, nausea, gut problems, and worst of all-killed my libido this whole time. It simply ceased to exist. I continue to take my meds. I'm a widow raising a 12-year-old for the last 7 years after my husband died suddenly, very suddenly, of swine flu. So much has been lost from that day. Inevitably, it took its toll on me. Not a complete person anymore. It's like I feel asexual... But I am alive and kicking."