Pristiqdesvenlafaxine
According to the FDA label: Desvenlafaxine is indicated for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Desvenlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) ( 1 ).
3,378 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2008–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Pristiq in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
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Drug Ineffective 288 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Toxicity to Various Agents 244 reports
A broad reporting category used when the body has a harmful response, sometimes involving more than one substance.
Full definition in the glossary →Off Label Use 217 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →Nausea 210 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Completed Suicide 196 reports
A report that a person died by suicide. This is recorded in adverse event data when it occurs during medication use, and its presence does not establish that the drug was the cause. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) is available 24 hours a day.
Full definition in the glossary →Anxiety 182 reports
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Overdose 176 reports
Taking more of a medication than intended or recommended. This can be accidental.
Full definition in the glossary →Fatigue 171 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Drug Interaction 165 reports
A report that two or more medications may have affected each other when taken together.
Full definition in the glossary →Depression 164 reports
A persistent low mood, loss of interest, or feelings of sadness. If you are struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) is available 24 hours a day.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Headache 163 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dizziness 138 reports
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Pain 122 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →Serotonin Syndrome 117 reports
A potentially serious reaction caused by too much serotonin activity, often from combining certain medications. Symptoms can include agitation, rapid heartbeat, and muscle twitching.
Full definition in the glossary →Insomnia 113 reports
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 2,141 |
| Male | 817 |
| Unknown | 10 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 121 |
| 18-34 | 385 |
| 35-49 | 652 |
| 50-64 | 721 |
| 65-74 | 324 |
| 75+ | 135 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Pristiq. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Other Serious | 1,589 |
| Non-Serious | 1,036 |
| Hospitalization | 996 |
| Death | 381 |
| Life-Threatening | 149 |
| Disability | 72 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Pristiq. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 42 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 50 |
| 2013 | 49 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 104 |
| 2016 | 58 |
| 2017 | 250 |
| 2018 | 188 |
| 2019 | 283 |
| 2020 | 369 |
| 2021 | 334 |
| 2022 | 361 |
| 2023 | 368 |
| 2024 | 388 |
| 2025 | 370 |
| 2026 (partial) | 101 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Pristiq
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Pristiq, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Quetiapine (429 reports)
- Gabapentin (423 reports)
- Clonazepam (339 reports)
- Bupropion (329 reports)
- Omeprazole (320 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026