3 Pristiq weight loss stories
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Pristiq cause weight loss?
Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) may cause weight loss in some people. Pristiq is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), a class of antidepressants which is more commonly known as weight gain. However, people are different and they respond differently to medications.
What people have experienced so far?
People who lost weight while being treated with Pristiq have shared their experiences. A 46-year-old Hannah stated:
“My doctor put me on Pristiq a year ago and since then, the drug has made me lose some weight. The first week was the most disturbing for me. I couldn’t eat I couldn’t sleep. That week I lost the most weight because I had no appetite.”
Hannah further stated:
“As I continued to take Pristiq over the next few weeks, the medication continued to suppress my appetite. Other side effects faded away soon enough but I kept losing a pound or two every week. My overall experience with Pristiq was good and my net weight loss was not so significant at the end of my treatment.”
Another Pristiq user, 35-year-old Jeremiah stated:
“Pristiq has been incredible for me. I always suffered from depression and when I started my treatment with Pristiq, I was overweight as my depression made me binge eat. Pristiq suppressed my appetite in a good way and I lost a bunch of pounds. I’m taking Pristiq to this date and I think it’s the best antidepressant out there for me.”
Another user, 39-year-old Amanda revealed her experience. She stated:
“My doc put me on Pristiq when I couldn’t respond well to my older antidepressants. I was naturally expecting side effects in the first few weeks as it is kind of a non-negotiable deal with antidepressants, but to my surprise, I did not suffer much. Just some nausea and occasional dizziness.”
She continued:
“One thing that I noticed during the first 3 weeks was weight loss. I not only felt lighter but I weighed less than before. It did make a major difference so I was totally okay with it. But soon after I noticed I started gaining weight and I pretty much gained all the weight back that I had lost. After that, I experienced no further weight gain or loss. It’s quite unusual but it worked for me.”
What does research suggest about Pristiq and weight loss?
Several studies have indicated that there is a possible link between Pristiq and weight gain. One research review indicated that Pristiq can cause weight loss in the long run when used for the management of depression. The weight loss observed was not dramatic, but it was statistically significant (1).
Some experts believe that Pristiq can cause greater weight loss in people who suffer from depression comorbid with an eating disorder. However, Pristiq is also known to cause weight gain in some of the reported cases.
Final words
There are probably a million more stories out there where people have described how they have lost weight on Pristiq. Similarly, a huge number of people have gained weight as well. People always respond differently to antidepressants because of their distinct genetic compositions.
There is absolutely no way to predict who will gain weight and who will lose it while being treated with Pristiq. Just stick to your doctor’s recommended dose and frequency. Monitor your side effects properly and keep your healthcare provider informed.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Tourian KA, Leurent C, Graepel J, Ninan PT. Desvenlafaxine and weight change in major depressive disorder. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;12(1):PCC.08m00746. doi: 10.4088/PCC.08m00746blu. PMID: 20582292; PMCID: PMC2882808. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882808/
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