Paxil vs. Pristiq

• Are Paxil and Pristiq the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Paxil?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Pristiq?
• What is Paxil?
• What is Pristiq?
• What Drugs Interact with Paxil?
• What Drugs Interact with Pristiq?
• How Should Paxil Be Taken?
• How Should Pristiq Be Taken?

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) are antidepressants used to treat depression.

Paxil is also used to treat panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Paxil and Pristiq are different types of antidepressants. Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and Pristiq a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Common side effects of Paxil include:

• headache,
• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• nasal irritation,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• nausea,
• constipation,
• weight changes,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• dry mouth,
• yawning, or
• ringing in the ears.

Call your doctor immediately if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Common side effects of Pristiq include:

• increased or excessive sweating,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• loss of appetite,
• tightness in your jaw,
• nausea,
• weight loss,
• blurred vision,
• nervousness,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat major depressive disorder.

Paxil may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, cimetidine, tramadol, L-tryptophan, or medicines to treat migraines.

Paxil may also interact with fentanyl, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, St. John's wort, tamoxifen, theophylline, heart medications, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

You may have withdrawal symptoms (such as agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling, ringing in your ears, confusion, or behavior changes) after you stop taking Paxil.

Pristiq may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, St. John's wort, tramadol, L-tryptophan, heart medications, or medicines to treat migraines.

Pristiq may also interact with diuretics (water pills), linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, midazolam, antibiotics, antifungals, blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines.

The recommended initial dose of Paxil depends on the condition being treated and ranges from 20 mg/day to 50 mg/day.

The recommended dose for Pristiq is 50 mg once daily, with or without food.