Wyeth Wins Approval to Market Pristiq for Depression

So did I read this wrong? Wyeth is starting to ship the drug out to make it available for consumers BEFORE the testing has been done to verify its safety???

The article said “…the FDA was unwilling to approve it until Wyeth resolved questions about potentially serious heart and liver problems. Wyeth plans a new study in coming months to verify its safety. (but)Wyeth expect to begin shipping Pristiq to wholesalers in the second quarter of 2008.”

You read it correctly. If you search news reports from around July of last year you can find more information. I haven’t had much success locating information about Pristiq through the FDA website. It doesn’t make much sense to me either. If the concerns are enough to hold off approval for one application why not hold off for them all? Do they have enough data now that they don’t believe there is a risk? Or is it greed?

I took effexor for 17 months.. really nasty stuff. Please be very cautious taking anti depressants. Most of them are made from fluoride which is very toxic.Anti depressants are acctually physcotropics. Not acctually what they say they are.

The FDA REGULARLY allows Father Pharma to release drugs pre-maturely to the public, even when their own advisory panel of doctors and scientists recommends against it. Simply stated, it is just another bureau of the federal governmental body, which is powered by politics and lobbying ($$$). Drug companies ALWAYS come up with an alleged “new & improved” version when the patent’s about to run. Just last week the FDA gave approval for a breast cancer drug, again, against their own advisory panel. Projected profits for the pharmaceutical company? 700 million a year. I suspect the individual members of the FDA, you know – the ones granting the “win”, are looking forward to a brighter financial picture. Bet they won’t be foregoing any vacations, new cars, etc. in the face of recession, either, as will the rest of us.

I took Effexor for 4 years because the doctor insisted I needed it. It did nothing for me for 4 years. All it did was give me very bad insomnia and very bad constipation. And cost me big bucks. I was still crying for the 4 years I took it. I found my new and improved doctor to helped me get off of it. I went through 2 months of hell getting off of it. I would not recommend this drug for anyone. I now take Wellbutrin, and it is fantastic. I no longer have any insomnia at all, and I no longer have any constipation at all. I am crying less now. Wellbutrin is the best. Forget the Effexor. Very bad stuff.

My psych. dr. just raised up Cymbalta to 120 mg. I don’t see any difference in the depression. I can’t get out of bed in the morning. I am depressed about being depressed. I took Wellbutrin, Prozac,Lexapro, Celexa, Effexor,and many others. I think it all depends on your own body and what works for one person doesn’t with another.

I’ve been taking Effexor for about six months and it is the only thing that has worked for me in the 15+ years that I’ve been taking anti-depressants. I believe that it does effect my sleep to some degree, however, I’m no worse off than with other meds that I’ve taken over the years. So far, so good!!

Everytime a new drug comes out, it may be the answer to someones prayers that is not helped by current medications. I am amazed that people are so ready to critize it and be-little anti-depression medications. I have a wonderful full life because of medications that were not even around 30 years again. Suicide would have ended my life long ago with out the help of anti-depressants

I’ve been taking Effexor for about 6 years. I also tried a number of other anti-depressants, but this one seems to be working the best. I have always had sleep problems when taking any antidepressant and effexor is no different.

Are pharmaceuticals just big business and big money for some people or is it an attempt to make people’s life better. I believe in the latter but know that money and politics is also a big part of it which is really too bad for those of us who need to take medication. Without my antidepressants I could not lead a relatively “normal” life. If what you are taking is not helping or not helping enough, ask for a change in medication. You may need to see a psychiatrist to get the best treatment in determining the best medication (or combination) for you to take. If you live in or near a big city, check to see if there is a mood disorder clinic where they specialize in mood disorders and are problably the most up to date on the current medications. A family doctor is spread very thin having to deal with so many diagnoses and treatment. If you don’t respond easily to an anti-depressant, your family doctor may not be able to give you the help you need. You might be on the right medication but not at the right dose and sometimes the family doctors are reluctant to go beyong a certain dosages without the input of a psychiatrist.

I have been depressed as hell for most of my life. Tried every medicine under the sun – no improvement – I also had 25 years of talk therapy ( 8 of them psycho analysis) – so, if there is any help out there please let me know!!!!! Still alive in California – E.F.
Oh yes, I also suffer from major anxiety and was almost undone by OCD which was helped by
medication, also the anxiety.I’m DEPRESSED!!!!

I was on Cymbalta 120 mgs for over a year and it is not working. I am very depressed and irritable. I’ve been on every anti-depressant you can think of over the last 10 years. Now, we’re looking into a mood stabilizer. Nothing like being a guinea pig for these doctors.

Just put me on Pristiq a few weeks ago, and now that I’ve read the blog, I’m stopping that.

Also, just started me on lamictal. I’m having really bad anxiety. I think it’s from that. And.. now she wants me to add Geodon to the Lamictal.

Anybody know anything about Lamictal or Geodon?

I think I have a mood disorder. Short fuse, and never happy. I don’t go from being really happy to really sad. Just get aggravated easily and very sensitive to what’s going on around me.

Lamictal has helped my mood swings and also has dramatically reduced the frquency of my migraines. It does not keep you awake at night, doesnt really have too many negative side effects, but it can cause nightmares in some people (myself included). I’ve been on 400mg for almost 4 years.

I have been on Pristiq for 6 weeks and am the most stable I have ever been with Depression and mood swings. I did have terrible side effects getting on them which I put up with and they have passed but now I have developed a shocking red rash on my breasts, chest, belly and spreading to my back. How do I get off htis drug. Do I just stop taking it??? My doctor said the rash was not from Pristiq, but since Celestone Cream and Anti histamines have not helped I say that is the cause. Not happy because I feel so good.

My husband went on Pristiq the 2nd week in March, I just found out only after a week since it was released. STAY AWAY. He was only on for one month and had nosebleeds everyday, vomiting and now has seizures at night. They also made the Prempro the hormonal drug that was pulled and found to cause cancer

I have been suffering with depression for over 11 years now. I have been on several antidepressants, including prozac, paxil, celexa, wellbutrin…and though the depression was controlled, I have become very “unemotional”. Wellbutrin controlled this, but when I would get upset, I would literally go into a fit of rage. Not good!!! Anway, I have been on Pristiq for quite a while now, but am going to stop after reading about the FDA and some of the severe side effects. I have MS, so I am complicated with other meds, but something has to be out there for me. I am married with 3 kids, but have no emotional or physical feelings for my husband and that really scares me. He is a wonderful, loving person and I know he will not go anywhere, but I want to feel “in love” with him again like I use to be. HELP!!!

I just added Pristiq 50 mgs with Lamotrigine 200mgs (generic for Lamictal) I have not felt this good in 30 years. I sure hope that there is no fluoride in either one. It is a devasting additive in so many drugs. Other than that concern I am very “smooth sailing”

I have been taking pristiq for a while for my fibromylgio now they want me to try Savella It seems to help me alot . But I am having a hard time getting off the pristiq.Any one have any answer for me