Does Pristiq treat nerve pain? (+5 options)
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 discuss the therapeutic efficacy of Pristiq in treating nerve pain. We will look at some research studies related to the efficacy of Pristiq in treating nerve pain. We will also shed some light on the ways to manage nerve pain if Pristiq does not help.
Does Pristiq treat nerve pain?
Pristiq may help treat nerve pain. Pristiq is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It may sometimes be used off-label for treating nerve pain comorbid with depression.
Pristiq is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. Pristiq works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft. This action increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain that help maintain mental balance (1).
Nerve or neuropathic pain is a broad term relating to chronic pain that is due to damage to the nervous system. Nerve pain could be due to various diagnoses, injuries, or etiologies leading to sharp, tingling, burning, or electric shocklike sensations (2).
Nerve pain can be treated with appropriate pharmacological interventions, physical therapies, and other approaches under the supervision and guidance of a medical practitioner.
What does research suggest?
Based on research studies, the use of Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for neuropathic pain is very limited. Due to the pharmacokinetic properties of this medication, it may be considered useful in some patients with chronic nerve pain comorbid with depression (3).
Pristiq does not affect P-glycoprotein nor is a sustrate of it. Pristiq also has no direct effect on the cytochrome P-450 system therefore, it has no interactions with other medications working via this mechanism. This action of Pristiq makes it stand out among other antidepressants in treating neuropathic pain (3).
Research studies have revealed that SNRI antidepressant medications including desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, and venlafaxine are increasingly used for chronic neuropathic pains (4).
What is the link between antidepressants and nerve pain?
There is no known connection or link between nerve pain and antidepressants. However, antidepressants have been effective and promising in treating chronic nerve pains based on various mechanisms (2).
The most accepted connection that is related to the therapeutic efficacy of SNRI antidepressants on nerve pain is the impact of these drugs on the serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters along the descending spinal pain pathways (2).
Various antidepressants belonging to different classes may exert their action on histamine receptors as well as through sodium channel modulation which is also beneficial in reducing nerve pain (2).
How is nerve pain connected to depression?
Nerve pain is usually comorbid with depression. Studies have shown that about 57% of depressive patients have an increased risk of nerve pain as compared to the normal population (2).
However, nerve pain comorbid with depression shares common symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness, and sleep disturbances which makes it difficult to assess and differentiate depression from nerve pain (2).
However, the most common hypothesis regarding this comorbidity is that depression precedes nerve pain and vice versa. Previous depression might exacerbate the potential of subsequent depression and induce a new onset of nerve pain in some patients (2).
Therefore, considering antidepressant therapy for nerve pain is most common in patients who are already suffering from depression along with nerve pain. The dosing of antidepressants for nerve pain is much lower as compared to treating depression (2).
What are the approved medications for nerve pain?
The following medications are approved for treating nerve pain in patients (3,5):
Antiepileptics- (first-line treatment)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Other SNRIs- (first-line treatment)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Tricyclic antidepressants- (first-line treatment)
- Amitriptaline (Elavil)
- Nortriptyline (Aventyl)
Topicals- (second-line treatment)
- Lidocaine (5% patches)
- Capsaicin cream (8% patches)
What to do if Pristiq does not help with nerve pain?
If you suspect that Pristiq is not helping with nerve pain, then you should consult your healthcare provider.
If Pristiq is causing more harm than benefits with regards to treating nerve pain, then your doctor might consider switching you to other medications that can outweigh the benefits over risks and help in alleviating symptoms of nerve pain.
Your doctor may also suggest some complementary treatments for nerve pain such as acupuncture, electrostimulation, herbal medicine, or supplementation which have proven beneficial in treating nerve pain in patients.
However, I would recommend that if you feel that Pristiq is not working or is causing severe side effects, then do not stop taking the medication immediately without informing your doctor as it may cause severe consequences.
Always keep your doctor in the loop and have transparent and honest discussions with your doctor about your symptoms and side effects to receive better and more efficient treatment.
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References
1.-
AHFS Patient Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.; c2019. Desvenlafaxine; [updated 2020 Jun 24; reviewed 2018 Jul 5; cited 2020 Jul 1]; [about 5 p.]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608022.html
2.-
Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. Pain, Pain, Go Away: Antidepressants and Pain Management. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 5(12), 16-19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2729622/
3.-
Alcantara-Montero A. Desvenlafaxina y dolor neuropatico: beneficios clinicos adicionales de un inhibidor de la recaptacion de serotonina-noradrenalina de segunda generacion [Desvenlafaxine and neuropathic pain: additional clinical benefits of a second generation serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor]. Rev Neurol. 2017 Mar 1;64(5):219-226. Spanish. PMID: 28229443. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28229443/
4.-
Ganzberg, S. (2009). Pain Management Part II: Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Orofacial Pain. Anesthesia Progress, 57(3), 114-119. https://doi.org/10.2344/0003-3006-57.3.114
5.-
Sindrup SH, Otto M, Finnerup NB, Jensen TS. Antidepressants in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005 Jun;96(6):399-409. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2005.pto_96696601.x. PMID: 15910402. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15910402/
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