Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

8,884 Members
129,554 Posts
0 Online
Mental Health
/ Bipolar Disorder Support Group

pristiq

tats69
tats69
Hey everyone. I was wondering about the drug Pristiq. I'd love to hear anything about the drug that you have to say. I know it's a metabolite of effexor. How new is it? Anyone taking it with lamictal?? How's it working for you??
tats69
tats69
Nayve I should have asked about it before 2am...sheeeesh...lol
deleted_user
deleted_user
What is Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)? The newest antidepressant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which will hit the U.S. market in a few months. Pristiq is a drug similar in composition to Wyeths existing antidepressant, Effexor XR (which loses its patent protection in 2010, 2 years from now). It is Wyeths hope that Pristiq, therefore, will replace Effexor XR in a few years time. Why? Because Effexor XR makes $3.8 billion (with a b) a year in sales.

Pristiq has shown the same level of effectiveness as many other antidepressants on the market today about a 2 point difference in a depression rating scale, compared with a placebo. This is the same 2 point difference that research last week showed wasnt all that clinically significant in older new generation antidepressants (SSRIs like Prozac and Paxil).

Strangely enough, lower doses (50mg) of Pristiq proved more effective than higher doses (100mg). I believe this is the first time where a drug company has shown in their own data that less of their drug works better than more of it (at regular dosing levels)!

Pristiq, compared with Effexor XR, should be seen for what it is an evolution in an existing chemical compound, trying to address some of the concerns with the current drug. Time will tell whether the side effects are more tolerable than those associated with Effexor XR or not. Because unless Wyeth releases the drug at a lower price point than Effexor XR (which is highly unlikely), Pristiq will have to prove itself as more than just another antidepressant.