Does Pristiq Have Withdrawal Symptoms? (+5 Symptoms))

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 05/02/2024 | Next review date: 05/02/2026

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 has withdrawal symptoms. We will also discuss some research studies and how to manage if these symptoms occur.

Does Pristiq have withdrawal symptoms?

Yes, Pristiq has withdrawal symptoms, especially when you skip the doses or stop taking the medication abruptly. Making changes to your dosage without proper guidance or a gradual tapering plan can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Stopping the medication abruptly or adjusting the dosage, whether by increasing or decreasing it, can raise the chances of experiencing negative effects. It is important to note that you should not make any changes to your treatment plan without medical supervision.

How does Pristiq cause withdrawal symptoms?

Pristiq, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is an antidepressant that affects serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters) in the brain (1). The body takes time to adjust to the altered levels of neurotransmitters. Once adjusted, the body gets used to the medication which leads to physical dependence.

Withdrawal symptoms occur when the body becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug and suddenly has less or none of it. When a person discontinues Pristiq suddenly or reduces its dosage, the body needs time to readjust to its neurotransmitter levels. This sudden change can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

What are the withdrawal symptoms linked with Pristiq?

If you stop Pristiq suddenly, you may experience the following withdrawal symptoms which will start within a few hours after reducing the dose (2):

Nausea
Dizziness
Tiredness
Electric shocks in the brain
Sleep disturbances
Flu-like symptoms
weight changes
Appetite changes
Hallucinations
Uneven heart rate
Gastrointestinal disturbances
Tremors

If you experience any of these symptoms after discontinuing Pristiq, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider immediately.

How long do Pristiq withdrawal symptoms last?

These symptoms can vary from person to person. They may start a few days after reducing the dosage or stopping Pristiq and can last for a few weeks. However, for some individuals, they may take a longer time to disappear potentially extending beyond several weeks.

What does research suggest?

According to research studies, withdrawal symptoms may appear in any patient taking Pristiq or treating depression. However, every patient responds differently to the antidepressant therapy.

One study stated that withdrawal symptoms were observed when people stopped taking SNRI medications such as Venlafaxine or Desvenlafaxine. These symptoms varied in how common they were and were more frequent with SNRIs (3).

They usually started a few days after stopping the medication and lasted a few weeks, even when tapering off slowly. Some people experience symptoms later for a longer time after stopping the medication (3).

The clinical data suggest that Pristiq will cause adverse effects when you try to discontinue it, regardless of the dose you are taking. Therefore, you should always consult your doctor whenever you want to discontinue the medication.

How to manage Pristiq withdrawal symptoms?

The following measures are recommended to manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuing Pristiq (4):

Your doctor should inform you about all the possible withdrawal symptoms that might appear upon abruptly discontinuing Pristiq.
Remember withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening and do not indicate addiction. Your healthcare provider should guide you that these symptoms are reversible and will resolve on their own.
If you have withdrawal symptoms while reducing your medication, the best way to ease them is by going back to your previous dose and then tapering off more gradually.
To manage withdrawal symptoms, symptomatic treatment is recommended. For example, headaches can be managed using acetaminophen and insomnia can be managed by using benzodiazepines.
Getting advice from a nutritionist while coming off Pristiq or any antidepressant is recommended. They can provide dietary guidance, suggesting food and supplements that might help during the withdrawal process.
Lifestyle modifications like yoga or acupuncture are also recommended for managing Pristiq withdrawal symptoms. Also, ensure proper sleep of 8-9 hours.

In my view and the knowledge available, Pristiq withdrawal can lead to a range of undesirable and in some cases, severe symptoms if the medication is abruptly discontinued. You may experience them within hours after the last dose and they may subside within a few weeks.

I suggest, consulting your healthcare provider if these symptoms persist or worsen. They will help you to adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.