Khedezla vs Pristiq – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Differences

Khedezla

It is the brand name of a drug called desvenlafaxine, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) antidepressant. This drug works by helping to restore the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain.

It is produced by Osmotica Pharmaceutical, a global specialty pharmaceutical company.

Uses

This drug is typically used to treat depression, a serious medical illness. In the United States, every year more than 16 million people have at least one major depressive episode. Depression is more than just a feeling of being sad for a few days. Common symptoms include:

  • suicidal thoughts;
  • feeling sad;
  • feeling like you are thinking and moving in slow motion;
  • trouble concentrating;
  • feeling empty;
  • loss of appetite;
  • unexplained weight loss;
  • thoughts of death;
  • low energy;
  • loss of interest in the usual activities.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 50 mg once per day, without or with food. Don’t take more than this since there are no additional benefits at higher doses, only a higher risk of side effects.

Side Effects And Precautions Of Desvenlafaxine

Common side effects may include:

  • increased sweating;
  • anxiety;
  • constipation;
  • difficulty having an orgasm;
  • drowsiness;
  • impotence;
  • dizziness;
  • decreased sex drive;
  • sleep problems;
  • decreased appetite;
  • nausea.

Rare side effects may include:

  • hallucinations;
  • seizure (convulsions);
  • feeling unsteady;
  • loss of coordination;
  • severe weakness;
  • confusion;
  • headaches;
  • trouble breathing;
  • chest tightness;
  • easy bruising;
  • a cough;
  • seeing halos around lights;
  • blurred vision;
  • coughing up blood;
  • blood in your urine.

To make sure that this medication is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you have ever had:

  • suicidal thoughts;
  • high LDL and total cholesterol;
  • glaucoma;
  • kidney disease;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression);
  • liver disease;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • high blood pressure;
  • low levels of sodium in the blood;
  • blood clotting disorder;
  • stroke;
  • heart disease.

It is recommended that at least one week should be allowed after stopping the use of this medication before starting a monoamine oxidase inhibitor prescribed to treat psychiatric disorders. Moreover, at least two weeks should elapse between discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor prescribed to treat mental disorders and the use of this medication because these combinations may lead to hypertension, tremor, confusion, coma, hyperactivity, and death.

Antidepressant drugs may increase suicidal actions or thoughts in some teenagers, children, and young adults within the first few months of use.

To prevent symptoms of withdrawal, the dose of this medication should be gradually reduced when the use is discontinued. Symptoms of withdrawal include nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness.

Pristiq

It is the brand name of a drug called desvenlafaxine, an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It was developed and marketed by Wyeth, a pharmaceutical company purchased by Pfizer in 2009. It was first approved for medical use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration in 2008.

Uses

It is used to treat major depressive disorder.

In the 6-month study, people who used this medication had a reduced probability of relapse by more than fifty percent compared with study participants who took a placebo at day 185.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 50 mg once per day, with or without food. In clinical studies, doses higher than 50 mg a day were shown to be effective, however, no additional benefit was demonstrated. More importantly, at a higher dose, side effects were more frequent.

This medication is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age because its safety and effectiveness have not been demonstrated in clinical studies.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • increased sweating;
  • trouble staying asleep;
  • problems falling asleep;
  • constipation;
  • nausea.

Rare side effects may include:

  • high fever;
  • seizures (convulsions);
  • trouble concentrating;
  • fast heart rate;
  • very stiff muscles;
  • agitation;
  • confusion;
  • diarrhea;
  • trouble breathing;
  • hallucinations;
  • fast or uneven heartbeats;
  • overactive reflexes;
  • blood in the urine or stools;
  • loss of coordination;
  • a feeling like you might pass out;
  • vomiting;
  • chest tightness;
  • fever;
  • memory problems;
  • blurred vision;
  • a cough;
  • shallow breathing;
  • seeing halos around lights;
  • breathing that stops;
  • feeling unsteady;
  • eye pain;
  • tremors;
  • weakness;
  • coughing up blood;
  • bleeding gums;
  • a sore throat;
  • burning in the eyes;
  • nosebleeds.

Some people may experience an allergic reaction, with symptoms including:

  • a red or purple skin rash which spreads;
  • swelling of the face or tongue.

To be sure that this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have or had seizures or convulsions;
  • have hypertension;
  • are breastfeeding (this medication can pass into breast milk and may harm the baby);
  • have heart problems;
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant because there are no conclusive studies about its safe use by pregnant women;
  • have low sodium levels in the blood;
  • have high triglycerides;
  • have high LDL and total cholesterol;
  • have mania or bipolar disorder;
  • have or had bleeding problems;
  • have a history of a stroke (cerebrovascular accident);
  • have liver problems;
  • have kidney problems;
  • have glaucoma;
  • have or had suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Khedezla vs Pristiq – Differences

Khedezla (active ingredient – desvenlafaxine) belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain to reduce the symptoms of depression.

Pristiq (active ingredient – desvenlafaxine) is also a SNRIs that works on the central nervous system to elevate mood by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin.

In conclusion, these medications are the brand names of the same drug. They have similar effects on the human body but are manufactured by different companies. Both have plenty of side effects.

5 Remedies For Depression

#1 Physical Exercise

It is one of the best things you can do to boost your mood. Moreover, any physical activity increases circulation to deliver more glucose, oxygen, and essential nutrients to your brain while clearing out metabolic debris and toxins.

#2 Spend Time Outside

Sunshine is the force for all life. It also provides vitamin D (also referred to as the sunshine vitamin), which is crucial to good brain function. Sunshine is also great for your emotional well-being.

#3 Sleep

When we sleep, our body produces melatonin, a natural hormone made by the pineal gland. A melatonin deficiency has been strongly associated with depression because sleeping allows the brain to slow down. Aim for 7 hours of sleep per night.

#4 Omega 3 Fatty Acids

According to studies, consuming foods rich in omega 3 acids has a better result than taking antidepressants alone. Healthy foods high in omega 3 include – chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, almonds, red kidney beans, broccoli, navy beans, pinto beans, and chickpeas.

#5 Find A Therapist

The right therapist should be a supportive and caring partner in your depression treatment and recovery.

Image credit – Shutterstock & Getty

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References

https://www.goodrx.com/khedezla/what-is
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2947544/
https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/pristiq/clinical-studies

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