Side Effects of Desvenlafaxine: An Introduction
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
desvenlafaxine (
Pristiq™); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with desvenlafaxine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of desvenlafaxine side effects with you.)
Side Effects of Desvenlafaxine to Report
Some side effects with desvenlafaxine, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider.
These include but are not limited to:
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior (see Depression and Suicide)
- Anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks
- Hostility or aggressiveness
- Engaging in unusual or dangerous activities
- Restlessness or inability to sit still
- Extreme elation or feeling of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
- Other unusual changes in behavior
- Signs of serotonin syndrome (a rare but dangerous problem associated with certain medications), such as:
- Confusion or other mental changes
- A rapid heart rate
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Hallucinations
- Blood pressure changes
- An irregular heart rhythm
- Overactive reflexes
- Fever, sweating, or shivering
- Shakiness
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Coma
- Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
- Seizures
- A high fever
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia)
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including:
- Unexplained rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Unexplained swelling
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
