Pristiq or its generic form called desvenlafaxine may be prescribed for anxiety disorders or depression. Pristiq may reduce anxiety attacks caused by panic disorder. Pristiq for anxiety is an effective medication for many people.

The antidepressants that are often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders such as Paxil are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Unlike these common antidepressants, Pristiq affects both serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. Many antidepressants including the SSRIs increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Pristiq and other selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephine in the brain.

It is recommended to take Pristiq with a full glass of water. People should take this medication as prescribed by the doctor or psychiatrist. Abruptly stopping the medication can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and the sensation of a mild electrical shock.

One of the common side effects of Pristiq is suicidal thoughts. These suicidal thoughts are most common when beginning this medication. They often stop after taking the medication for seven days. The suicidal thoughts from Pristiq can be worse for people under the age of twenty-four years old.

When taking Pristiq for anxiety the person may develop other side effects. Other side effects of Pristiq include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, dry mouth, sleep problems, mild headaches. People may experience sexual side effects of Pristiq such as decreased sex drive or impotence. If the side effects of Pristiq are bothersome, the person should discuss this difficulty with their doctor or psychiatrist.

At the time this article was written, Pristiq was featuring a coupon offer on their website for fifty percent off the prescription price or insurance prescription copay for Pristiq. Offers like this from pharmaceutical companies can be extremely helpful for people struggling with the costs of prescriptions.

The person should not get discouraged if the anxiety is not improving with Pristiq. It may be necessary to try several different medications before finding the best prescription drug for the person’s anxiety. If a family member has anxiety that is effectively treated with a medication, let the doctor or psychiatrist know. Many times, a medication that effectively treats a family member’s anxiety will also work for other family members.