Pristiq and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mee...
• August 11, 2009

For Depression "I've been on Pristiq for almost a month. It's great. No pill will deliver a miracle, so keep that in mind. Side effects are negligible. I do have a reduced sex drive, but I also had that with Celexa. However, there was a time I was on Celexa and had no sexual dysfunction, so it's difficult to quantify."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2011

For Depression "Pristiq worked well for me for 6 months on the 50 mg, then it stopped working. Switched to the 100 mg and know it's working again. Works really well for depression and anxiety. Makes you feel really confident, talkative, makes it impossible to orgasm, and it does keep you up at night. Hopefully, it won't poop out on me. When switching doses, you have to give it at least 3 weeks to feel the effects. Initial side effects do subside."

• cym...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2019

For Depression "I started Pristiq to help with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. The anxiety went totally away, which was awesome (hence the 2 stars). Everything else sucked. It reduced my depression about 30%, pain about 10-20%. I looked at the most common side effects of Pristiq, and they were increased or excessive sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, sleep problems (insomnia), loss of appetite, tightness in your jaw, but for me, I was so flat emotionally and ended up gaining 40 pounds, it was like my body never got the cue that I wasn't hungry. I also dealt with constipation, sexual side effects, and general blahs. Going off the medication was the hardest part. I gained 10 pounds in a month going off it, I was in a very dark place, very emotional and rage-y, and had severe dizziness for like two months. While not having anxiety was great, the apathy and weight gain, as well as minimal depressive symptom relief, made this one a no-go for me."

• a72...
• October 7, 2009

For Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for 1 week. I loved how it lifted me up right away. I was on Cymbalta for 5 years and was having panic attacks and very stressed out and wasn't working anymore. I have noticed a mild headache off and on and NO sex drive, like short-tempered too. Oh, and night sweats started and we don't like that, but from what I have read, it should lighten up. I do feel better and will give it a chance, like with any new medication your body has to get used to it. Hope this one works! I have even backed off on my smoking, which is a plus! Good luck to everyone."

• Jim...
• March 5, 2010

For Anxiety "I started having problems with depression when I was 14. I'm now 29. I started out taking Paxil back then, and it helped. I had the dose increased and maxed out on the dosage. From that point, I went on to Zoloft. I also took this for a while and maxed out on the dosage. I then went on to take Effexor and maintained at 150 mg for some time. Then, like some, I thought that I did not need the medicine anymore once I got to feeling better. I went off the Effexor and was able to stay off of the medicine for 5 years, actually. Then one day, bam, it all came back to me. I started back on Effexor again, only this time it had sexual side effects on me, so I stopped taking it. I am now starting Pristiq. I hope this makes me feel better."

• Sen...
• January 10, 2017

For Depression "This med works well for norepinephrine uptake inhibition, which is my problem. However, it can cause anorgasmia in men over 50 years of age. I can have an erection and sexual intercourse, but I never finish the job. One of the side effects is listed for this drug if you read the small print. I stopped using it years ago and still have side effects."

• Hig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2013

For Depression "Was on Effexor for years. Learned that Pristiq has less side effect on sexual dysfunction. After being on Pristiq, I felt it was effective, gentle, and my sexual issues improved."

• Hig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 2, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on this amazing drug for 3 years. It is the only one that has ever worked to keep me in the middle... No sexual side effects is a big one for me."

• dot...
• January 15, 2012

For Depression "Have developed visual problems, thinning hair on top of my head, insomnia, and loss of sexual interest."