Priftiq -is proven to relieve a broad range of depression symptoms

Midwest Alice · 05-24-2009, 11:57 AM

Does anyone have experience taking Priftiq? I heard it is relatively new and has shown success in treating depression and anxiety for cancer patients. Also heard it helps with energy level.

Thanks, from those of us who need an anti depressant to help us be healthy survivors.

chicagoetc · 05-24-2009, 06:29 PM

It is supposedly an update of Effexor. From what I can tell, the jury is out on whether this is a new form of the same antidepressant (so that when Effexor loses its patent in 2010 Wyeth still has a brand name product to compete with any generic form of Effexor)...or if the modifications are a genuine improvement with additional benefits...

These are both SNRI's...addressing two major neurotransmitters and, like other antidepressants, may help with depression/anxiety as well as taking away the low levels of energy/motivation often experienced with depression. Cancer patients like us have been/go through enough stress, body changes, depression, anxiety that probably many would benefit from some kind of psychotropic medication.

Melanie

juanita · 05-24-2009, 06:31 PM

pristiq? is that what you're talking about? it's great but expensive. my zoloft wasn't working so great any more so my pcp gave me pristiq. it worked but even with my insurance was $62 for the month. so i went back to my zoloft and just try to ignore people who bring me down.

Midwest Alice · 05-25-2009, 04:54 AM

Yes, Thanks Juanita. The correct spelling is Pristiq. Maybe the longer its out the less expensive it will become. Effexor XR is working for me right now and I'm on a low dose, so if it stops working we can up it.

Melanie, thanks for the information, I think the Effexor XR is new. Will we lose it also in 2010?

chicagoetc · 05-25-2009, 05:17 AM

I think Effexor already lost its patent (is available already in generic form). Effexor XR should lose it in 2010.

And you're right. If it works for you (in brand name or generic form), there would be no reason to change (unless your doctor identified a specific benefit for doing so).

Melanie

chicagoetc · 05-26-2009, 12:05 PM

Here's a new one re SNRI's (like Cymbalta, Effexor, Pristiq)... My husband found information online that suggests these kinds of antidepressants are also being used to address some pain/discomfort (total news to me). He says:

"I was surprised to learn, from a Widipedia article on SNRIs, that SNRIs are prescribed used almost as much for pain issues as for issues of depressed mood. Cymbalta is approved by FDA for neuropathic pain (I see this prescribed a lot at pain clinics). Milnacipran was aproved by FDA in Jan 2009 for fibromyalgia. Tramadol (Ultram) is an SNRI [I didn't now that] and is approved as an analgesic. Bicafadine is an SNRI being researched now for stricly analgesic use."

From Wikipedia as well re SNRIs:

"They are sometimes also used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)..."

So that's a yes for Alice re whether Pristiq might help with anxiety.

Melanie