Do Pristiq-induced Side Effects Go Away? (+3 Factors)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 02/02/2024 | Next review date: 02/02/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss whether Pristiq-induced side effects go away. We will also discuss some research studies and what to do if Pristiq-induced side effects do not disappear.

Do Pristiq-induced side effects go away?

Yes, Pristiq-induced side effects start to go away within a few weeks of your treatment. The side effects produced by Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) during the early course of your treatment are usually temporary and tend to disappear as your body gets used to the medication.

The intensity of the side effects varies among individuals. Some people may mildly experience them while some may experience them more intensely. It typically takes 3-4 weeks, but some people take much longer to recover from the early side effects of antidepressants.

Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider if your side effects do not go away within 4 weeks.

Pristiq is generally a well-tolerated antidepressant, but it may not work well in every other individual. If Pristiq is causing intolerable side effects in you, it may not be the best choice of antidepressant for you.

Why does Pristiq cause side effects?

Pristiq is an antidepressant which belongs to a class of medications known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It exerts its effect by affecting the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain which helps in regulating mood and emotions (1).

However, when you first start taking the medication, your body may take time to adjust to the altered levels of these neurotransmitters which results in the appearance of certain side effects like nausea, dizziness, drowsiness etc.

These side effects are temporary, once your body gets used to the medication and the altered levels of neurotransmitters, they disappear on their own. However, it is important to note that every person responds differently to medications. So some people may experience these side effects for a longer time.

Side effects also appear when you stop using the antidepressant as the body has to adjust to the changed levels of neurotransmitters again.

If these side effects become bothersome, reach out to your healthcare provider for individualized guidance and treatment plans.

What does research suggest?

Studies indicated the relationship between Desvenlafaxine and the appearance of early side effects.

One study stated that Desvenlafaxine is typically prescribed at a therapeutic dose of 50 mg per day, and it is often okay to begin this dosage without gradually increasing it. Side effects tend to show up mostly in the initial weak of treatment but usually get better soon after (2).

Another study found that at 50mg daily Pristiq showed similar results in helping people with depression as other similar antidepressants. Taking it more didn’t make it work better but it did cause more problems, so people had to slowly use less before stopping (6).

The usual side effects were trouble sleeping, feeling sleepy, dizziness and feeling sick. Some people also had higher blood pressure that needed attention (6).

Another study indicated that stopping the use of Desvenlafaxine can lead to withdrawal symptoms, whether the treatment duration is short or long-term (3).

What are the side effects of using Pristiq?

The most common side effects associated with the use of Pristiq include (4):

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Weight changes
Appetite changes
Constipation
Heartburn
Night sweats

Some less common side effects include:

Tremors
Tinnitus
Agitation

What factors influence Pristiq-induced side effects?

Several factors can influence the severity and duration of side effects caused by Pristiq. These include:

Dosage and duration: The dosage of a medication directly influences its effects. Higher doses may increase the likelihood and intensity of side effects produced by Pristiq. People responding well to the lower doses may experience side effects after dose escalation. With Pristiq, adhering to the prescribed dose is crucial to minimize adverse reactions.

Side effects may evolve over time as the body adjusts to the medication. Initially, some side effects might be more pronounced and diminish as the body becomes used to the drug. Conversely, some side effects might appear after prolonged use.

Age: Age can also affect how a medication behaves in the body. Older adults or younger individuals may metabolize medications differently potentially impacting the occurrence and severity of side effects. Elderly individuals may be more prone to experience Pristiq-induced side effects than younger ones.

Individual susceptibility: Every individual’s body chemistry varies, affecting how they react to medications. Every person is different and responds differently to medications.

Drug interactions: The interaction of Pristiq with other medications can potentially increase the risk of side effects. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about any medications, herbal supplements or substances you are taking to minimise the risk of drug interactions.

What to do if Pristiq causes side effects?

If you suspect that the side effects induced by Pristiq are becoming bothersome, it is important to reach out to your healthcare provider.

Your doctor may initially adjust your dosage to see if it works for you. By lowering the dose the side effects may subside. However, if dose reduction does not work, your doctor may gradually discontinue your medication or may switch to another medication with fewer side effects.

Your healthcare provider might also recommend specific steps to alleviate side effects such as adjusting the timing of your doses or taking the medication with food to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms etc.

Side effects might be alleviated through lifestyle changes, such as if Pristiq causes sleep disturbances, practising good sleep hygiene might help.

Always remember not to skip the doses or discontinue the medication on your own as it can result in withdrawal symptoms further worsening your condition (5).

In my view and the knowledge available, the side effects of Pristiq may diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication, but this varies among individuals. Some side effects might persist despite continued use, requiring discussion with a healthcare provider for appropriate management.