Note: This document contains side effect information about desvenlafaxine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Pristiq.

Summary

Common side effects of Pristiq include: constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, nausea, decreased appetite, hyperhidrosis, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: anxiety, blurred vision, mydriasis, tremor, vertigo, vomiting, abnormal dreams, chills, and yawning. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to desvenlafaxine: oral tablet extended release.

Serious side effects of Pristiq

Along with its needed effects, desvenlafaxine (the active ingredient contained in Pristiq) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking desvenlafaxine:

Less common

• Chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• continuous ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• delayed or inability to have an orgasm
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, pounding, or irregular pulse
• fear or nervousness
• headache
• hearing loss
• inability to have or keep an erection
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
• weakness

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• blood in the stool or urine
• chest tightness, discomfort, or pain
• cough
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• dilated or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
• dizziness
• feeling irritated
• fainting
• fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• fever
• hives, itching, or rash
• hoarseness
• indigestion
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• loss of appetite
• loss of bladder control
• muscle pain
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• nausea
• nosebleeds
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sudden loss of consciousness
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• talking, feeling, or acting with excitement
• trouble breathing or swallowing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• vomiting blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking desvenlafaxine:

Symptoms of overdose

• Agitation
• bloating
• dark urine
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• irregular heartbeat recurrent
• light-colored stools
• muscle cramp or stiffness
• nausea
• overactive reflexes
• poor coordination
• restlessness
• seizures
• sensation of spinning
• shivering
• stomach pain
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Pristiq

Some side effects of desvenlafaxine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Decreased appetite
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• trouble sleeping

Less common

• Change in taste
• decreased weight
• difficult urination
• jitteriness
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of taste

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to desvenlafaxine: oral tablet extended release.

General

The most commonly reported side effects were nausea, dry mouth, hyperhidrosis, and dizziness.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very Common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 36%), dry mouth (up to 25%), constipation (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting

Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute pancreatitis

Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal bleeding^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very Common (10% or more): Hyperhidrosis (up to 21%)

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Photosensitivity reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme, severe cutaneous reactions, toxic epidermal necrolysis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very Common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 16%), somnolence (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, headache, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyskinesia, extrapyramidal disorder, syncope

Rare (less than 0.1%): Convulsion, dystonia, serotonin syndrome

Frequency not reported: Seizure^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, abnormal orgasm, anorgasmia, anxiety, decreased libido, irritability, nervousness, withdrawal syndrome

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depersonalization, hypomania

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hallucination, mania

Frequency not reported: Bruxism, discontinuation syndrome, suicidal thoughts^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very Common (10% or more): Erectile dysfunction (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Delayed ejaculation, ejaculation disorder, ejaculation failure, proteinuria, sexual dysfunction, urinary hesitation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention^[Ref]

Other

Very Common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, chills, feeling jittery, tinnitus^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, decreased weight, elevated fasting triglycerides, elevated LDL cholesterol, elevated total cholesterol, increased blood cholesterol, increased weight

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood triglycerides

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyponatremia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Ischemic cardiac adverse reactions, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and/or coronary occlusion requiring revascularization usually occurred in patients who had multiple underlying cardiac risk factors.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Blood pressure increased, hot flush, increased sustained hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral coldness

Frequency not reported: Coronary occlusion requiring revascularization, ischemic cardiac adverse reactions, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, mydriasis

Frequency not reported: Angle closure glaucoma^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Yawning

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis

Frequency not reported: Interstitial lung disease, eosinophilic pneumonia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal liver function test^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal stiffness^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema^[Ref]

Endocrine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood prolactin^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Abnormal bleeding^[Ref]