What is Pristiq used for?

Pristiq is used alone or combined with other antidepressant drugs to treat major depressive disorder or depression in adults. 

How does Pristiq work?

Pristiq belongs to a class of antidepressant medications called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). SNRIs work to increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. In people with depression, the levels of certain brain chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine are unbalanced. By increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, Pristiq helps regulate mood.

What is the suggested dosing for Pristiq?

Pristiq is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old. 

• The typical dosing of Pristiq is 50 mg by mouth once daily—50 mg is both the initial dose (starting dose) and the maintenance dose (therapeutic dose). 
  • In clinical trials, doses of 10 mg to 400 mg were studied. A dose of 50 mg to 400 mg per day was effective.
  • However, no additional benefits were shown with doses greater than 50 mg per day in those clinical trials. 
• The 25 mg per day dose is used to reduce the amount when discontinuing Pristiq therapy.
• For patients with kidney disease:
  • For moderate kidney impairment: take 50 mg by mouth once daily.
  • For severe kidney impairment or end-stage renal disease (ESRD): take 25 mg by mouth once daily or 50 mg every other day. 
• For patients with liver disease:
  • For moderate to severe liver disease: take 50 mg by mouth once daily. 
  • The maximum daily dose is 100 mg.
• Discontinuation of Pristiq requires gradual dose reduction as directed by a healthcare professional. For some patients, discontinuation of Pristiq may occur over several months.