Pristiq and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• eca...
• June 24, 2008

For Depression "After trying several of the top ten antidepressants and never feeling exactly right - and gaining at least 30 pounds per episode - after only 2 weeks on Pristiq, I have never felt better and have energy and the desire to live and exercise."

• Jes...
• January 13, 2017

For Depression "I just want to share my experience with Pristiq. I had suffered from depression since I was 15 and tried many antidepressants that made me hallucinate, gain weight, and sleep all day. The day my doctor changed my medicine to Pristiq, my life changed forever. I can safely say that my depression is completely gone. It also diminished my anxiety by 90%. I have absolutely no side effects: no weight gain, tiredness, or dizziness. On the contrary, it gives me energy, and I feel happy and calm all the time. I am more social, I laugh, and live life like I used to. Pristiq saved my life, and I know that for some people it may not be the best, but if you are looking for a new antidepressant, you should definitely try Pristiq."

• Eli...
• October 23, 2014

For Depression "This medicine saved my sanity. I had crippling anxiety/panic attack disorder that forced me to take a year and a half off of college. I was a complete and total wreck. After a year and a half of rest/therapy, I decided I was ready to go back to school, within 3 weeks I was totally crumbling, and was completely overwhelmed (anxiety disorder I had worked so hard to treat was rearing its ugly head). I was scared to try another med because my old one made me gain 55 lbs (despite dieting), but at this point I was so desperate. My psychiatrist gave me Pristiq and BAM, a week later I was like a different person. No more constant crying and confusion. Now 10 months later I am doing really well in school and have lost 40 lbs."

• Jef...
• October 29, 2014

For Depression "I've been on Pristiq for just over a month, and I don't have the desire to do anything. I have gone days without shaving or taking a bath. I feel like a zombie unable to make decisions or take care of myself and my home. I find myself sitting all day on my sofa, and sleeping most of the day. My appetite has increased and now my weight has gone up rapidly. After reading a recent post on this medication, I was shocked to learn that only one other person has had the same experience. I am quitting this medication today."

• Ga ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2014

For Depression "Been off and on antidepressants for 20 years. Been on 100 mg of Zoloft for about 5 years now and was having some adverse effects - gained a lot of weight for starters. Started Pristiq about 3 weeks ago. I feel a lot clearer in the mind - guess I didn't realize the fog I was in on the Zoloft. I'm not hungry - lost seven pounds in the first two weeks. Had some headaches while switching over. Sleep hasn't been a problem - but I have found that I need to take the meds at the same time in the mornings or I have headaches. So far, so good. Hopefully it will continue long term. I will probably be on meds the rest of my life - I've come to terms with that. Hoping this will be the last one I'm on!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2015

For Depression "Pristiq is awesome so far. Don't reject it because it is nearly identical to Effexor. Effexor caused extreme sweating. I would stand in front of a forceful fan while dressing and still be drenched! My doc told me I might not have that with Pristiq and I don't! I am just over 6 weeks, and it took a full 4 weeks to kick in. The first couple of days I felt great, calm, and happy, and got hopeful, but then slid back into the dark place. But I kept going and at 4 weeks, I suddenly one day woke up and started planning fun outings for my teen, after months of sofa lounging. 100mg, F, 56, 135lbs. Tried Prozac (allergic), Paxil (weight gain), Effex (sweating), Lexapro (out of dark place, but flat). I hear it's hell to stop, but I'm not going to stop. Why would I?"

• Mar...
• May 16, 2013

For Depression "After being in denial, I completely broke down with anxiety and depression. Went to my doctor and prescribed me Pristiq. After a week, I took a big turnaround for the best, so happy! Stick with it, give it a chance to work. Side effects were nausea for the first few days, stomach upset, but don't give up! I have been on Celexa in the past but takes too long to kick in... plus 40 lbs weight gain. Pristiq cuts the appetite, and you're not hungry, at least if you need a few lbs off, this is the medicine to be on!"

• c2d...
• June 15, 2015

For Depression "I take Pristiq for anxiety (first) & depression. I don't know what the true definition of 'normal' is, but this is the closest I've felt to it in quite some time. My most recent attempt at feeling 'normal' was with 8 years of Lexapro. My concentration level was on point & my anxiety level was low, but the zombie-like feel, the lack of sex drive & weight gain eventually drove me to find an alternative. After several failed attempts with various other options, I can say that Pristiq has proven to disprove most, if not all, of my concerns. Yes, I still get fiery mad at times (with good reason), but it's controllable. Yes, I still get sad/anxious, but there are tangible reasons & I am now able to pull myself out a lot sooner."

• Med...
• November 19, 2022

For Depression "You guys - so incredibly, incredibly worth it! Maybe weight gain as a side effect over time, but would I rather be a bit heavier than I was or want to die (??) do you know what I mean? Gotta choose your battles in the end, in my opinion. Favorite medication ever! Took me from a severely dark mood/major depression to HAPPY and at peace every single freaking day of my life for the past 6 months. I'm so thankful for modern medicine! I’ve been a few hours late to take my Pristiq and I’ve been fine - no side effects like brain zaps or anything. Which I’ve had in the past from a different med, buspirone, by the way - and it wasn’t that bad… just saying. Don’t be scared to try this med, it’s so, so worth it - again, just my personal experience and opinion, but!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2024

For Depression "It's helped me, but it's not perfect. It's the only antidepressant I've tried that didn't cause me to be anorgasmic (includes: Prozac, Cymbalta, Lexapro, Effexor, and probably others I've forgotten), but my libido is gone. I was on 50 mg for several months and decided to up it to 75 mg because I didn't feel like it was helping enough (I'm still very irritable). It hasn't really helped to up the dosage, my libido is worse, and now I'm gaining weight like gangbusters because my appetite is huge. I'm hungry when I've just eaten."

• Gee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2018

For Depression "I have been on this for a little over 1 month. I have gained 8 lbs. I eat uncontrollably and don’t even realize it. I do not want to be on this anymore. I am finding myself to be aggressive. I actually had a confrontation with a stranger and literally was going to get in their car and start fighting. I’m not like that. I’m not so aggressive. I am also grinding my teeth really bad, and I have no desire to do anything. I don’t like this, and just because a DNA test says this is the best, I don’t think it is."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2019

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for a little over a year. My brain works better, I sleep well, I am not depressed any longer, and it has helped me recover my sobriety. But I’ve gained 15 pounds, but started on a strict Keto diet which has helped me lose 10 pounds in one month and then stopped when my medication kicked in, and completely eliminated my sex drive. Used to be very sexually active, but now it’s been 3 months since I’ve let my husband even touch me. I can’t stand it. There’s nothing I can take because I’m postmenopausal. My husband says he’ll deal with it because I’m sane and sober after 7 years of struggling, psych hospital stays, and different medications. But I’m so upset about the libido change and weight gain, I don’t know if I can keep taking it."

• Hdg...
• April 25, 2021

For Depression "I finally was able to wean off of this awful drug! I should have stopped taking it the first week when I couldn’t sleep and had zero appetite from stomach pains. I began taking it in the fall of 2018 when Lamictal started giving me mood swings. Once I got past the first month, I thought all was good. Since then, I have been out of work three different times for weeks with severe dizziness and fatigue. Come to find out this medication was causing my blood pressure to significantly drop! Apparently, with this, you have to increase your sodium intake because this can happen (if you already run on the low side). I’ve put on weight from the lack of energy, and weaning off of it is like no other because you can NOT cut it. It took me over a month to get here (disclaimer: I did talk to my therapist and doctor). It is now April 2021, and I wish I would have gone with my gut instinct and been more persistent about not taking this."

• Nas...
• October 14, 2019

For Depression "I was put on Pristiq for major anxiety and depression two years ago. Initially, I was put on Lexapro for 5 years. I stopped it for a year as it was so horrible to my body and made me gain 40 kg. I was put on Valdoxan, which was awful, did nothing to me except give me severe anger issues. So, two years back, my mother-in-law recommended Pristiq to me, which I spoke to my GP about and went straight on to it. Yes, it changed my life for the best. I lost some weight on it and it gave me an energy boost, however, now, after two years and a bit on it, I decided to go natural as I do not want my body to be fully dependent on medicines. I stopped it about a month ago and I am having the worst nightmares of my life. Severely tired, body aches, insomnia, shortness of breath. It is a poisonous medicine. I am having a horrible time and my wife is about to have a baby, and I do not know what to do or how long it will take for the withdrawal side effects to stop. I am done. Plus, I put on 7 kg in the past month since I stopped it."

• dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2019

For Depression "I started this medication about a year ago. I have a lot of depression and anxiety. There are several medications I've tried that worked only to lead to weight gain. My doctor told me about Pristiq and figured I'd give it a try. I found that this medication works really well, the only big downfall is the side effect of missing a dose and trying to come off of it. The severe dizzy lightheadedness is unreal. Almost feels like you have a bad hangover. I started taking something else while trying to get off of Pristiq, it has been a huge challenge. I'm so tired of feeling like garbage, so I do not recommend this medication for anything. Not only did I have this bad side effect, but I've had a problem with my jaw as well. For the last three months or so, my jaw has been so tense that I can barely open my mouth to eat anything. When my dentist learned what I was on, she told me this is a side effect of this medication as well. I've even gained over 30 lbs while taking this. Please beware before you take this."

• Jog...
• July 7, 2013

For Depression "I started on 50 mg and went up to 100 mg. It has been wonderful for stabilizing my moods. I lost my insurance and went off. It was horrible. I was in horrible shape and had to go back on it at full price. I now feel like I am stuck on it. I experience dizziness at times, gained 40 pounds in the 2 years I've been on it."

• So...
• May 16, 2013

For Depression "I've been suffering from major depression and anxiety for the past few years until I finally decided I've had enough! Initially, I was prescribed Cipralex, which helped with my anxiety, but I gained way too much weight and couldn't stop eating, so after approximately 6 months, I went off it, which wasn't hard at all-no withdrawal symptoms. I was then put on Wellbutrin 150 mg, then after approximately 1 month, up to 300 mg. I felt great, positive energy, lost a lot of the weight I gained. After approximately 1 year, I felt that this medication was totally ineffective, and I wasn't feeling anything. My doctor then prescribed Cymbalta, which appeared to work well for approximately 1 month, then after the next 2 months, I didn't feel anything. Now I'm on Pristiq for just over 5 weeks, I feel good."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2009

For Depression "I don't represent anyone but myself (I'm always skeptical about these posts). I know everyone is different. I've been depressed to one degree or another my whole life and have tried nearly every medicine that's come along, from the early tricyclics through MAO inhibitors to SSRIs/SNRIs. None worked well enough in the long run to compensate for the side effects (sexual dysfunction, weight gain, others). After 3 years of mild depression and no medicines, things got severe again. I'm in week 3 of Pristiq. Mood improved within 24 hours, and I feel as though my brain's turned on again. I have mild side effects (sleep and jaw clenching), but these are tolerable for the mood improvement. Hope it keeps working and wish everyone good luck."

• Fra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2013

For Depression "I found my experience on Pristiq to be similar to when I was on Effexor XR. They are very similar medicines. I switched to Pristiq after I wasn't getting the relief from depression and anxiety anymore on Lexapro and Xanax. Unfortunately, I've had to discontinue the Pristiq after about 6 months. It does help with depression, but it was making me easily agitated/irritable, and I've had considerable weight gain. I would take it in the morning and often have thoughts of suicide by the time I went to bed. I have switched back to Lexapro but just added Wellbutrin XL and switched my anxiolytic to longer-acting Klonopin. I've read this is a great combo and hope it works! Good luck, everyone."

• Jes...
• October 4, 2016

For Depression "I wish I was told what would happen! The wonder drug. No depression. Little anxiety. Seemed like my problems were fixed with one little wonder pill. 50 mg Pristiq a day... It's been 8 months, and I barely feel anything. This is no way to live life. Sure, I'm not as suicidal, not as anxious, not as depressed, and I'm not flipping my lid every other day, but I am numb, bored, barely characteristic, I don't find joy often, nor do I care to create it. This is no quick fix! Also, in that 8 months, I have gone from 57 kg to 66 kg. Not a welcomed weight gain! Sex life is shit, affecting my relationship as my needs and wants have changed to nearly not caring whether I have it or not. But the worst part is missing a dose! I can't function without it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2012

For Depression "I am 26, female, and have been on Pristiq for a little over 18 months. It worked fantastically for the first year, my anxiety and depression were under control for the first time ever. For the last few months, though, I have noticed a lot more side effects. I have gained weight, and although my sex drive hasn't dropped, I find it very hard to reach orgasm. Also, if I miss one day, I have really bad withdrawals: migraine headaches, nausea, dizzy spells, and out-of-control emotions. I think Pristiq is great for short-term use, but I'm not convinced it's good as a long-term option."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2020

For Depression "At 2 months on Pristiq. I switched to Pristiq from Lexapro because of slow weight gain and occasional brain fog on Lexapro. Gene testing indicated Pristiq should work for me, and it has made my mood stable but has totally blunted any emotion I feel, good or bad. My doctor has added 2 mg of Abilify to boost the effectiveness, but I haven't noticed any difference from that yet. I can easily live with this compared to depression, but I don't feel my pre-depression normal at all."

• jms...
• April 29, 2017

For Depression "I tried Pristiq, which had been listed on my GeneSight review in the positive column. Was on it for three weeks and had to stop as I had developed hypermania: no sleep, talkative, spending, messy, walking around confused, and generally felt very high. Felt very unsafe driving and was also eating everything in sight until I had a stomachache. Gained weight and just felt plain bloated. While I recognized that something was wrong, I was not thinking straight enough to judge. Fortunately, the prescriber recognized it and I am now stopped 3 days. Don't feel great, but I am glad I was not on it long enough to have withdrawal problems."

• caz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2013

For Depression "Dr. put me on Pristiq because I was having a bad time dealing with the loss of a loved one. It's my first medication, and I have been on it for 9 months. Although it has relieved my mild anxiety, I have decided that this or any other medication isn't for me. The weight gain has probably been the worst and only side effect for me, after 3 months, I piled on 10kgs. On my pharmacist's advice, I have been lowering my dose on alternate days and am now on my third day without taking it. I feel like I'm a little tipsy/heavy-headed by the end of the day, and that's all so far, but it's bearable, and I still manage to go about my day as normal. Hopefully, this doesn't last long. I have never experienced brain zaps either."

• KRo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2021

For Depression "I don't like this drug. I switched to it thinking it would be better than Cymbalta, but it was not! I am done with these awful drugs and big pharma trying to make money off others' misery! I had nausea, sexual side effects, my menstrual cycle changed, night sweats, hot all the time, anxiety, weight gain, etc....! It is not worth it. The side effects are worse than any depression ever was! Not to mention, all it did was make me numb. I am proud to say I have been off of this for almost a week. I will never take this med again."