Does Pristiq need to be taken with food? (3+ tips)
By
Ivan Kahwa
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
In this article, we will answer the question “Does Pristiq need to be taken with food?”. We will discuss the benefits and side effects of taking Pristiq with or without food. We will also discuss what foods should be avoided while on Pristiq therapy.
Does Pristiq need to be taken with food?
Pristiq (also known as desvenlafaxine) can be taken with or without food. The dosage and administration recommendations by the FDA state that this medication can be taken with or without a meal (1).
Pristiq contains desvenlafaxine, a medication belonging to the class of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). This is recommended by the FDA in the treatment of adults with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). This medication has found an off-label use in the treatment of hot flashes in women undergoing menopause (1,2).
Pristiq can sometimes cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation when taken on an empty stomach. If you experience these symptoms then you can try taking the medication with food to provide some relief. Pristiq can be taken at any time during the day, but you should keep in mind to take Pristiq at almost the same time each day.
The GI side effects may vary from person to person. If you experience any side effects for more than a few weeks, make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. Your doctor will assess the problem and come up with a plan to help manage your symptoms.
What foods should be avoided while taking Pristiq?
There are a few foods that should be avoided while taking Pristiq therapy. These are as follows (3):
Alcohol – Drinking alcohol while taking Pristiq can increase the risk of side effects like dizziness or sleepiness. It can affect your thinking ability and can also exacerbate your depressive symptoms.
Spicy or greasy foods – Spicy and greasy food is not good for GI health. It tends to increase GI side effects and trigger symptoms like heartburn or indigestion.
Caffeine – Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause sleep disturbances, It can also sometimes cause GI side effects in individuals. It is better to limit caffeine intake while using Pristiq so such side effects can be avoided.
Grapefruit – Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice is found to inhibit enzymes responsible for the metabolism of antidepressants. It is also known to increase GI side effects like nausea and diarrhoea when used with Pristiq.
Potential benefits and risks of taking Pristiq with food
Taking Pristiq with or without food can have its advantages and disadvantages as well. Pristiq can cause GI side effects like nausea, constipation, decreased appetite (resulting in weight loss) and abdominal pain. Sometimes if you take Pristiq with food these side effects can subside (1,2).
Taking Pristiq can be a problem for individuals who do not have a healthy diet or a proper eating schedule. If a person takes trigger foods, like spicy and greasy foods or has a high caffeine intake, it can cause a problem in the absorption of the medication.
Keep in mind that the side effects of Pristiq on the GI tract normally resolve after a few days. But if the symptoms are causing discomfort then taking the medication with food can help. Make sure you keep a consistent routine of taking your medication whether it is with a meal or not, and that you take the medicine as a whole and do not cut or break it.
Tips for taking Pristiq with food for maximum benefits
There are a few tips that you can follow if you are taking Pristiq with food to help manage any GI side effects:
Dietary changes
You can make healthy dietary choices and include such foods in your diet that are easy on your stomach. Avoid trigger foods like spicy or greasy meals. Use foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables that are rich in fibre. This can help you if you have constipation. Take small meals at regular intervals of the day to help your stomach digest the food faster.
Stress management
Stress management techniques like yoga, meditation and deep breathing techniques can help you relax your mind and body. Reduced stress will improve the efficacy of Pristiq as well as your overall health.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can cause worsening of GI symptoms. Keeping yourself hydrated and taking an adequate amount of water and fluids can help reduce any such problem.
Exercise
Doing light exercise daily can increase your energy and improve your mood. Make a routine and try following it. After a few days, you will start seeing improvement in your condition.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we discussed the effect of taking Pristiq with or without food. We also discussed some tips to achieve maximum benefits while taking Pristiq with food. In my opinion, Pristiq can be taken with or without food but if it disturbs normal GI functioning, then it is advised to take it with food to help alleviate these symptoms.
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References
1.-
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. PRISTIQ® (desvenlafaxine) Extended-Release tablets, for oral use. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/021992s042lbl.pdf
2.-
Naseeruddin R, Rosani A, Marwaha R. Desvenlafaxine. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534829/
3.-
Menkes DB, Herxheimer A. Interaction between antidepressants and alcohol: signal amplification by multiple case reports. International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine. 2014 Jan 1;26(3):163-70. https://content.iospress.com/articles/international-journal-of-risk-and-safety-in-medicine/jrs632
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