First, did you taper slowly off the Pristiq first before switching to Cymbalta? If not, it could be a withdrawal symptom. Second, these are both stimulating antidepressants targeting norepinephrine as well as serotonin, and if you're not metabolizing the Cymbalta as well as you did the Pristiq you might be missing the artificial stimulation of adrenalin you get from this class of drugs.
One problem is you will be taking meds that affect the same neurotransmitters, and that can cause an overload. both Pristiq and Elavil affect serotonin, and while Pristiq does so more profoundly than Elavil you could still theoretically run into the problem of serotonin syndrome. You don't say how much you're taking, it could be tiny doses of each, but the risk exists though it's probably not common.
But I think this drug is more like an ssri than an snri, which is what effexor and pristiq are. Keep in mind effexor and pristiq are almost identical drugs, with pristiq just eliminating some of the molecules in order hopefully to reduce side effects but mostly to get new patent protection. It's like Celexa and Lexapro. This class of drugs is stimulating as it targets norepinephrine as well as serotonin, and is usually not used for primary anxiety as a result.
Pristiq is an anti depressant that is known is a SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). How long have you been taking it? Remember these medications like SSRIs can take a little time to 'kick in.' Sometimes in take up to a month, in my opinion; I am a big proponent of medications like these as long as it is COMBINED with talk therapy. There is no magic pill that will cure you of this.
Both Pristiq and wellbutrin are stimulating antidepressants, and aren't usually first choices if anxiety is the main problem. If depression is the main problem, that's a whole different story. I'd try a different ssri, because if it's the serotonin reuptake inhibition itself that's causing the problem, Pristiq does that as well, but it also acts on norepinephrine, a stimulating neurotransmitter.
t want to try anything like that and then he tried Effexor and I only took a few of those and it made me worse... no im on pristiq and I don't really know why. He insisted that I take this one tho. I even said do you think we could try Prozac on a very low dose and he said no he wanted me to do this one... I don't know why????
s usually because the cause is depression -- this class of drugs targets norepinephrine as well as serotonin, and the former is basically adrenaline. So I wouldn't do anything this particular doctor recommends, I'd get a good psychiatrist who specializes in geriatric medicine. Also, be very cautious about giving drugs that target brain neurotransmitters to anyone, but especially the young and the old.
One being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like Lexapro and the other being serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) like Pristiq. (Pristiq is being targeted as the first non-hormonal based treatment for menopause.)
In my humble opinion, and consider that i'm not a doctor, i would talk to you doctor about Cymbalta. It's also a new drug from the same company (Pristiq's company) but some a lot of people have reported an increase in energy.
The stimulating part is because of its action on norepinephrine, and the SNRI class that includes Pristiq and effexor also affects that neurotransmitter. Many find that adding Wellbutrin in a small dose to their SSRI helps with the weight and sexual problems, but it has to work for that to happen, and to add it to Pristiq, assuming again the Wellbutrin was working, is to double the effects on norepinephrine. Could help some, but maybe too much stimulation for others.
took 1 100mg pill of 5 htp yesterday at 3pm and it made me feel awful. I've decided to start taking the meds my doc gave me today. The only thing is, I wanted to know if it is safe to start the meds right now. It's been almost 24 hrs since I took the 100mg pill of 5 htp but I just want to know if it's ok to start taking the pristiq the doc gave me. the 100mg 5htp pill was the first and only 5htp I"ve ever had. Please, if anyone could let me know.
Effexor and Pristiq are 99% the same drug in terms of active chemical. Pristiq being Desvenlafaxine and Effexor being Venlafaxine. In fact if you look at the molecular chart for the two drugs they even bind the same.
Funny thing is you know why Weith pharm released Pristiq? (a drug much like Effexor) Because the 7 year patent on Effexor was close to an end and Weith didn't want to lose market share. In comes Pristiq (Name brand only for another 7 years)
It's all about the money.
Equivalencies are generalizations, and you are an individual. Besides, Pristiq is a different class of drug than Lexapro. Lexapro is an ssri while Pristiq is an snri. And if it were me, which it isn't, I'd start at a low dosage and work my way up on any medication so I could see how bad the side effects were and the lowest dosage at which it works is.
Pristiq (Prestiq) works by restoring the balance of natural substances (neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain. Pristiq (Prestiq) may improve your mood, feelings of well-being, and energy level.
Pristiq (Prestiq) side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping and excessive sweating.
I will only add one thing to Ryan's otherwise very good post. People do have different reactions to different drugs, even to Celexa and Lexapro or Pristiq and Effexor. While it's true the companies are trying to keep a patented product in their lineup, Lexapro seems to have fewer side effects than Celexa, but many people do find one or the other works better. Same probably with Pristiq and Effexor. But to prescribe both at once is insane.
I called the pdoc back and he's having me take a 75 effexor xr and my pristiq 50---I guess a ween off of it, no more brain zaps for now, I dont know what will happen after I stop taking effexor all together, we shall see in a few weeks.
As for the comment above, I too have seen people have to pay out of pocket for perscriptions and its usually elderly and people like me, who had been laid off and take medications and are put into a situation of having to pay out of pocket, what to do?
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