How do I stop taking Pristiq?
Question posted by anitsuj on 15 June 2009
Last updated on 23 September 2019 by Jpq
20 Answers
Official Answer by Drugs.com
16 June 2009
You should never stop taking Pristiq abruptly. If you need to stop taking Pristiq, you should do so under the supervision of your doctor and the dose should be reduced gradually (or by taking less frequently if the dose is one pill a day) to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
The withdrawal symptoms of Pristiq include dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, insomnia, diarrhea, anxiety, fatigue, abnormal dreams, and sweating. The longer you have been taking Pristiq, the more likely you will be to have any of these symptoms. If any of these symptoms occur and are unbearable, your doctor will increase the dose of Pristiq, then gradually start reducing again. Good luck.
Since I am on the lowest dose of 50mg od how do I take less frequently?
I've wondered it myself. I'm also on the lowest dose. I figure I'll have to space out the pills? I have a meeting with my doctor this week to discuss weaning me off the meds.
Hi, I have been taking pristiq for almost a year now and I tried to come off my dose (the smallest possible - 50 mg once a day) and had really bad bouts of anxiety, crying, apathy. THe method I used was to stop taking third pill in each 3 day period. So, Monday - take it, Tuesday - take it, Wednesday - skip it. This didn't work. The doctor told me to cut the tablet - which the leaflet says not to do.
I'd love some advice. Thanks :)
My doctor just told me to do the same thing today. Cut it in half. While it is supposed to be an extended release pill, it seems to work for his patients.
My doc prescribed Prohexal to be taken while withdrawing from Cymbalta which is in the same class as Pristiq. It was a tapering procedure over a few weeks and I still had some dizziness but it really helped. I tried cold turkey previously and it was quite awful. Ask your doc about this method. All the best.
Just talked to my Psych about that. I have been on 50 mg. for about a month and she suggested starting by taking it every other day for a few days or a week, then cutting the pill in half for a few more days or a week. Then cut it into a quarter for the same amount of time and then stop. Good luck with that, I am doing the same thing right now. Let me know how it goes. God bless you! @}~>
You should really never start this drug without a very in detail discussion with your physician, the reason being, this drug is very powerful and leaves you with a huge array of horrible disgusting side effects that are far worse than any reason you thought you had for taking it in the first place. Talking about it here is a start for you. But you should get help from your congress person or anyone else with some sort of authority because this medicine is dangerous and leaves you with unwanted SE. I have done some independent study and have learned these SE will go on for a very long time, maybe forever. If so, you are damaged and will never be the same in your head. The SE I am having are (today) miniature tambourines banging behind your ears. Yesterday I had what some folks have described as Brain Zaps. This is like having to sneeze in a big way and you wait and wait and wait and then you never sneeze.
It is also like being in a dark room waiting for someone to arrive for a surprise birthday party. When everyone yells surprise, it never stops and you never know when they might yell again. Now I am having all of it at once, fun? NO. Tolerable, barely. I am a health care professional, and have been for more than 35 years. This is absurd. This drug is a poison, it should be removed from the public. Pfizer, Wyeth are getting rich off the sad unknowing population, the best thing you can do is contact your representative and write tho the FDA. There is website with a form. Put it in writing where it will count, not here. Follow up and be real and very serious about it. You may even want to donate your brain to science to see what kind of damage has actually taken place. Just my take. Be well, here's hoping the surprise part ends soon! Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii.
Curious about this too. Been taking for about 6 months. Want to get off meds
Every withdrawal symptom you mentioned are the side effects I had while taking this drug. Not a fan of Pristiq.
They make a 25mg pill just for reducing off Pristiq. You doc can order the 25mg pill to help you taper off Pristiq
They make a 25mg pill to help you taper off.
How do I properly get off two 50s a day to 0? Please help. I no longer have a psychiatrist
I took 100 mg of Prystiq for two years (incidentally, one doctor researched and said many believe 100 is max effective doze so I think: cut down to that for a month or two if you are taking more) Next, I reduced to 75 for a month, 50 for a month and then 37.5 for the last six weeks I cut 100s and 50s into quarters and have been taking 25 in morning and 12.5 in afternoon to compensate for breaking timed release tablets) So far I have reduced without side effects, though I am
eating right, exercising and learning to calm my anxious thoughts through meditation. Today I reduced to 25 which I hope will be ok for the next month or six weeks. Then I’ll go to 12.5. I plan to self compound by crushing with mortar and pestle, and mixing with vitamins (10% Prystiq for accuracy) and putting in emptied gelatin capsules from market. I may go down to 6.25.
I’ll report back but I titrated off of diazapeems with doctor’s “help” which consisted of me googling “Ashton” (who is guru of weaning) and following Ashton who has good suggestions but ultimately says patient has to pay attention to body to determine if and how fast to wean off (which may include a temporary increase in dose if you go to fast) and I weaned off more quickly than my doctor initially suggested. However, if I can’t wean off Prystiq myself, I will go to psychiatrist and try using Zoloft or whatever Psychiatrist suggests to wean off (and I don’t rule out completely needing to continue with psych meds).
I have been on Pristiq for 2 months. 25mg start dose, upping to 50mg, then 100mg, briefly 150mg every 2 weeks but had blurry vision and leg cramps on 150mg, and back down to 50mg. It’s helped get me through a depressed state following a period of increased anxiety, and with some life changes (less work, more exercise and time outdoors, better sleep) and fortnightly guidance by a good clinical psychologist, I’m ready and wanting to get off this drug, mainly as I feel it causes weight gain, gastro issues, and will have diminishing benefits long term. As a side note, I was previously on 20mg Cipramil for 3 years and had a rough time getting off it, working out that I needed to taper off by dropping the dose by 5mg every 2 months. 6 months later I tried Prozac but had to stop due to nausea, then started Pristiq.
In Australia where I am, 50mg Pristiq is the lowest tablet dose available, so others in same situation WILL need to break the slow release 50mg tablets. Despite others on here saying not to, my psychiatrist and my pharmacist (who said he has discussed this issue with a number of psychiatrists) have both confirmed that at the low doses involved (1/2 and then 1/4 of a 50mg tablet) is a safe and appropriate method of tapering. Due to the short 12 hour half-life of the drug, (2.5 days to clear the body), DO NOT alternate taking/skipping a day that some on here have suggested, instead, taper your daily dose.
From reading comments on here and elsewhere, any more than a 25mg reduction tapered over a month will give you significant side effects (brain zapps, nausea, gut problems etc etc), which is a good reason to keep the dosage as low as needed when you are on it. For me, I will quit pristiq over 4 to 6 weeks when I am feeling well, and when work and home, family pressures are low. I will use a pill cutter to cut the 50mg tablets in half, then quarters, taking half for two weeks, then quarter for two weeks, then stop. Note: adjust this timeframe to suit length of time you have been on Pristiq. Hope that helps provide some clarity to others.
I've been taking this for only three weeks, and I want off it already. I can't tolerate the sexual side effects, so it's a no go for me. I'm not sure how helpful this is, but my doc just advised me to take the 50 MG dose every other day for about two weeks and that should do it. But I like the idea of increasing the time span in between as some others have commented. But for now I will just follow her orders. I know it's only 3 weeks for me so most others will likely have a harder time.
I've been on D-Venlor 50 mg ( Desvenlafaxine Succinate Extended Release Tablets ) ( Pristiq in the US ) for about 1.3 years.
Initially, my dosage was 50mg a day, but after 6 months, my neuropsychiatrist increase it to 100mg a day.
The drug suited me well. I had great energy and enthusiasm along with a wonderful episodic memory. I started weighltlifting along the same time, so the combination went really great.
Afterwards, I had a concussion in the gym, and an emotional trauma, which made me dependent on it.
I've tried to come off this drug, but within 2 days, withdrawal symptoms emerge.
First, there is hyper emotional state, then there is a rage like of state, and finally the depressive feelings along with head zaps, dizziness, brain fog etc. come along.
I don't know anything about pill cutters and it's advised that extended release tablets must not be broken ( as it will cause the drug to be released in the system abruptly ), so I don't know how can I reduce my dosage ( first from 100mg to 75mg then 50mg and so on.)
Any advices? I'm soon going to another city so I have to be sure that my medication routine doesn't interferes with my work schedule.
Any advices are strongly welcomed.
God bless us all!
Hey. I’m in the same boat looking to come off after about a year and a half of 100 mg. They do make 25 mg tabs for weaning. You’re right don’t break them in half. After a couple weeks on 25 you could go every other day for 2 weeks and then quit. My sex drive is very poor and I’ve gained about 20 pounds. Also excessive sweating. Anxiety is better but the side effects are becoming a problem. Would you please keep me posted because I would love to hear your suggestions. Thank you!
I just had a genetic test called GEN O MIND. I have been on Prozac (20 mg) for 25 years but weaned myself off 8 months ago. About 2 months ago I started having depression and severe anxiety. My doctor put my back on Prozac but after I went to another doctor, and they did this test. It showed that Prozac did not metabolize well in my body. Now they have prescribed Pristiq (25mg). Haven’t started taking it yet. After reading these comments, I am very afraid to switch from the Prozac. After being back on the Prozac for 2 months, the depression and anxiety are better. Not back to my old self, but better. Any comments from anyone or advice. Has anyone ever had this GEN O MIND test and if so what are your feelings about accuracy?
I’ve been taking Pristiq for 6 months, started at 50mg, got up to 150mg and now I’m at the end of taking it.
I gained 15kgs in 6 months on it but the anxiety did cease for the first month or so, now I don’t think it’s working as well as it used to plus I need to loose this weight to make me feel better anyway.
Regarding tapering, I have been using a compounding chemist. I went to 25mg for about 2 weeks, then 12.5mg and feeling fine and will be off completely I think by next week. I was really sensitive to it’s half life too, if I missed dose by 1-2 hours my reactions were really bad with all the usual symptoms as described in this forum.
My advice is to get a 25mg script, 12.5mg script and then get off it. I wouldn’t recommend going from 50 to 0 ever.
I also wouldn’t use Pristiq again due to side effects and lack of clarity getting off the drug.
Good luck everyone.
I have been taking Pristiq for nearly 2 years and antidepressants for about 20 years. Pristiq worked for a few months but then the side effects began but dr encouraged me to stay on. Almost a year ago I found an Integrative Psychiatrist who is adamant that in most cases drugs are not the answer and are harmful to the body. I agree. I've been tapering off Pristiq 50 by taking 1 every other day for 10 days, then skipping 2 days and now skipping 3. Ive been having the classic withdrawal symptoms (dizziness, tinnitus, bad dreams, brain zaps, cold sweats, etc.) which are like worsened side effects but are gradually becoming less severe. I swear I will never take this drug again. It's brutal. The most helpful thing leading up to stopping it and getting through the withdrawals is mindfulness meditation. You don't have to be of any faith group, you just learn to change your thinking processes.
A good app for learning this practice is called insight timer. They have a wealth of teachers who will guide you at no charge. Also while on Pristiq I was very drowsy and could not function before noon. I am now up and alert at 8:00 thanks to starting to get this drug out of my system. Also I find Tylenol really helps reduce the brain zaps.
I can confirm the side effect sleepiness. I wake up every morning and don't want to get out of bed. I am pretty much useless at work. I am weaning my self off Pristiq, maybe a little too fast, but I don't think I feel any worse than I did when I was taking it every day. I hope to adopt more natural therapies like nutrition, exercise, meditation and a good nights sleep. Thanks for sharing.
I was on 100mg for 4 years. I cut down to 50mg with quite a bit of ease. There were a few sleepless nights and irritability but this passed. I stayed on this dose for a year trying to find the "right time" to get off the medication.
Just over a month ago I ran out of my meds and due to a bit of financial hardship I had to go without for 3 days. This was extremely hard. Mood swings, zaps, nausea, jittery, shakes etc
Once I had the dose I was alright but I used this as a push.
For the past month I have been doing one day on one day off.
The first week was hard but eventually got easier I was able to attend work and just push on.
Now I am going 2 days off one day on. It's slow but I have decreased and don't feel like I need it to survive. It's just a very long process. During this I have avoided alcohol completely kept social calls to a minimum etc the main thing is to ensure there are destructions and to just push through.
I need to see my doctor again to find out how long to do the 2 days off one day on for but I am starting to see light. Hopefully it continues.
Ps. Since taking pristiq have kept the same diet yet ended up with fatty liver - weird coincidence?
I'm in the process of tapering off after being on Pristiq 100mg for 5 years. It has helped me with my PMSD over the years but need to stop taking because I can no longer afford it. I'm currently alternating 50mg and 25mg each day for 30 days and will be cycling another 30 days with 25mg daily, then every other day for 30 days, then every 2nd day for 30 days. The withdrawal effects are definitely impacting my day to day activities (tinnitus, crying, helplessness, brain zaps, dizziness, unmotivated, insomnia, etc.) but I'm determined to discipline myself from taking this anymore no matter how severe these effects get. How long did your doctor keep you on the every 2nd day dose before you stopped? How have you felt since stopping? Any lingering withdrawal side effects?
Hello!
I have been taking Pristiq since the age of 23. I am 31 years old. I have been on the lowest dose (50mg) and have never increased. I always taken my Pristiq consistantly at night. I have tried countless times to get off of it and it was horrible with the discontinuation effects. I have consulted with many pharmacists. My brother-in-law is a pharmacist and my cousin is also a pharmacist. They have commented that this is also one of the most expensive medications for anxiety and depression because of it's special time release capabilities.
I would suggest, if you are looking at going off of it, try it as many times as you can, even if you have to retake it because the withdrawal effects are too much. This medication is about building strength in understanding the withdrawal effects and being prepared to mentally withstand the withdrawal effects. I have tried countless times and I have to say that I am mentally and physically ready. I believe that this medication has helped me in many great ways, but in order to have a baby one day, I cannot be on this medication in fear of birth defects. This medication has done it's job and I am grateful that it exists but not so happy that it will hurt to go off of it.
In my many trials of going off Pristiq, I was told to take it every second day - I realized this just played pingpong with my brain and I felt horrible. So I took it consistantly again because I was not ready to handle the withdrawal effects. I did this countless times because I was told never to split the medication because it is time release and it would get into my system too quickly and wear off too soon.
I gained courage again and attempted again but this time, with a consistent follow up with a pharmacist that told me that with antianxitey antidepressant medication, it is all about milestones. What is your goal in coming off this medication? The best solution I have come up with this is this medication has served me for the time I needed it, my goal now is that I am feeling ready to see if I can manage with out it. I look at it positively with the goal that I want to be free of any brain stabilizing medication so I can have a healthy baby.
After bouncing around how I am to do this, I decided I will split the medication. At least it is getting into my system, maybe it will wear off, but at least it won't be as bad as not taking it completely. I bought myself a good pill cutter at the pharmacy and I decided to keep taking my medication at night.
Today is day 22 of splitting my 50mg Pristiq. At the beginning I felt a little weird, but it was completely tolerable. I knew it was something I was mentally prepared to deal with. If you are a woman, PMS is a factor you must configure in as well because hormones can play with your brain. Ask yourself this question: are my tears horomonally induced or chemically induced? Keep staying strong that is the key. Keep reminding yourself that it is completely normal the feelings you are feeling.
I am working with the 12-step model of recovery and doing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It is a God-send. It is helping my to process and thinking this through.
For anyone reading this - I have been reading forums and journals about how to get off this medication. I felt it was my duty and service to say my journey with Pristiq. I hope it has helped you. Remember that this medication has helped me when I needed it, and I thank it for doing it's job.
I'm glad that worked for you :) I never split mine because of the time release and the side effects were awful for 3 months but I also was coming off other meds at the time so I can't say it was all Pristiq. I seem to be doing okay now, so far so good!
That's great! It isn't easy. I am now 6 weeks off of Prestiq. I get a bit of vertigo from time to time but a'll of that to say, it's amazing I have no more heavy duty withdrawal effects. It's a miracle.
Congratulations. I hope you can live and drug free and happy life.
Very slowly. It's absolutely possible. Please check out dr Kelly brogdan's work. Her book: A mind of one's own. She specializes with medication tapering.
I have been taking 50mg Pristiq for 3 months. My Psychiatrist put me on it for depression and after Zyprexa was causing me sleeping issues. I was hoping this medicine would help but I have been feeling more depressed and sleeping just as much (12-14hrs). All I do is sleep. I want off of it! I hate it. Plus I don't have insurance so it's $345. How can I get off off it myself? Can I cut it down shortly? Can anyone help?
Hi, I'm assuming you've asked your GP/psych first about coming off? They are the best ones to help you, they will probably make you try it out for a few weeks first though. $345 though makes me cringe mine were $6 for 4 boxes :/
It will be an awful experience coming off them and I don't feel better without them, I had been on them so long I forgot what it was like to have anxiety. I don't enjoy it but at least my life doesn't revolve around remembering my tablets and then being out for a week if I forget a dose.
Give it a month I'd say and try to keep an open mind, they take a long time to kick in and wear off (which i don't understand why they're so brutal if you forget one) but then tell your prescribing doctor how you feel. Keep a sleep/mood diary to show them. Hope this helps!
Just talk to your shrink. If you hate it, it is not working after 3 months, and too expensive, it is probably not right for you. Even after only 3 months, get your doctor's supervision to get off it. Good luck.
I was on 400mg pristine for several years, it was the hardest to come off (I was also taking dothiepin, cymbalta and others that I can't even remember). I stopped because the psychiatrist wanted me to start taking Lamictal despite being 90% sure that I will end up in hospital for stevens-johnson syndrome. The others were easy to taper down but as I'd been on such a high dose of pristine for so long it has really taken its toll on me. I went down slowly to 100mg then stayed on that for a few months, then 50mg for a few months (had to go to my gp for a new prescription - do not cut the tablets in half!)
A few days ago I forgot a dose and was crying etc so I thought I may as well stop now if I'm already past the mental breakdown, so I was off it for a few days then accidentally took one 50mg by force of habit and then nothing for the last few days. I feel physically awful though, I am so dizzy I feel drunk all the time. I slept for 14 hours last night and I'm just as tired as I have been for the past few days, which is extremely tired. Not sleepy as such, but like if I close my eyes I have the overwhelming feeling I will fall down and sleep for another 10 hours. It making blinking exhausting.
I'm not sure if this is due to pristiq or something else, I'm hoping its the pristiq as I have a family history of MS and vertigo was my mums first symptom. I am not having "brain zaps" I don't think, lots of other people reported that on other websites.
I was on 100 mg as well. I stopped pristiq by cutting the pill in half, half again, then stopped. I've been off them now for 8 weeks. I went through the nausea, vomiting, headaches, body pains,I still suffer the brain freeze at times, but a lot better. Never again will I use that drug. It's not safe for human consumption. Be strong, you can get off it, positive thoughts. Good luck everyone.
How long did u cut in half? I've only been on about a year. I've gone from 100to 50 mg already. Wondering how long to taper down?
Iv been taking Pristiq now for 2-3 years I'm on 100mg,Iv been coming off them.
It's been really hard,I was working today and had to go home.
Dizzy,tightness in my head,anxiety,feeling jittery,irregular heart beats and feeling as if I'm going to just drop to the floor...
My doctor prescribed this drug for depression and anxiety,but honestly they seem now to be the least of my worries. This is horrible!!! I don't want to be reliant on this drug anymore.
I'm decreasing my dosage under the watch of my doctor,am I coming off too quickly? It's been a 2 week proses off doing 100mg 1 day and then the 2nd day 50mg,I was fine though this proses now I'm just on the 50mg once a day.this is when the symptoms became a lot worse... Iv also quit smoking at the same time. Will I be ok? Will these symptoms pass?
There is 25 mg dose of Pritiq. I am in the process of coming off Pristique after a few years on doses up to 100 mg. I was on 50 mg and my doctor put me on 25 mg for one month and then Proxac for 10 days. She said this will bring me off Pritiq smoothly.
I know how bad it feels to try to quit this drug. I tried it once and the shocking feelings in my head were terrible.
Check with you Doctor.
Good answer. My doctor also told me to add Prozac and I have not begun. But in the past six months, I have gone from 200 mg to 50mg by s l o w tapering. There is no way around that. Slow is the way to go. Anyone who tries it quickly is in for a SHOCK, literally. Zaps are what we call it, too. My history shows that it is absolutely doable. Be patient all of you struggling to get off.
After taking the 25's for a month and then the Prozac for 10 days were you ok? How were side effects once on Prozac then off of Prozac? I was on 50 mg Pristiq then 25 mg now cutting the 25 in half. The mood swings (among other things) are horrible... dr said she could give me Prozac to help so I was wondering if it helped you!! This sucks!
Related topics
Further information
- Pristiq uses and safety info
- Pristiq prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pristiq (detailed)
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