"i have been taking 50mg pristiq for depression for 4 months and having used many different depressant medicines previously  (zoloft, luvox, lexapro, cymbalta, effexor)- i find it to have less side effects.  i take thyroid medication (oroxine) as well and i feel like pristiq helps it to work better.  i have lost 10kg in four months without dieting and just a tad more exercise.  less headaches, less backaches and aches and pains, a bit more get up and go which i need as i have 3 kids.  i&#039;m hoping that it doesn&#039;t wear off as some of the antidepressants have in the past.  it is not as &#039;strong&#039; as when i first started, but still effective in controlling mood swings and anger (and appetite)."