Wyeth's Pristiq, a New Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Adults, Now Available in U.S. ...(tudies. Pre-existing hypertension shoul...),Health

starting PRISTIQ. Caution should be exercised in treating patients with

pre-existing hypertension or other underlying conditions that might be

compromised by increases in blood pressure. Cases of elevated blood

pressure requiring immediate treatment have been reported. For patients

who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure, either dose

reduction or discontinuation should be considered.

* SSRIs and SNRIs, including PRISTIQ, may increase the risk of bleeding

events. Concomitant use of aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin, and other

anticoagulants may add to this risk.

* Mydriasis has been reported in association with PRISTIQ; therefore,

patients with raised intraocular pressure or those at risk of acute

narrow-angle glaucoma (angle-closure glaucoma) should be monitored.

* PRISTIQ is not approved for use in bipolar depression. Prior to

initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients should be

adequately screened to determine the risk of bipolar disorder.

* As with all antidepressants, PRISTIQ should be used cautiously in

patients with a history or family history of mania or hypomania, or with

a history of seizure disorder.

* Caution is advised in administering PRISTIQ to patients with

cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or lipid metabolism disorders.

Increases in blood pressure and small increases in heart rate were

observed in clinical studies with PRISTIQ. PRISTIQ has not been

evaluated systematically in patients with a recent history of myocardial

infarction, unstable heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or

cerebrovascular disease.

* Dose-related elevations in fasting serum total cholesterol, LDL (low

density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and triglycerides were observed in

clinical stud
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