The prescribing information lists weight loss as a potential side effect. Since it was just approved by the FDA a few months ago, there's not much history on it yet. Postmarketing data may show different potential side effects, but so far it doesn't look like weight gain is a significant issue.

Teri

I have been on Prestiq 50 mg for 9 days.  I have very little appetite,  so expect to lose weight rather than gain.

Due to the fact that Prestiq has two ways of working in the brain SNRI it will help with your anxiety as well as depression and most people have both whether they realize it or not.  People who are depressed and anxious without medication will try to cope by either emotionally feeding their depression or become somewhat anorexic in their acute state.  Once people start feeling the effect of the chemicals in their brain they will feel the medication working and experience side effects like being dizzy or feeling flu like symptoms...and may not have an appitite.  I've been on a form of Prestiq for 6 months and I know if I skip a dose because I start to feel like I'm just discovering I'm pregnant-sick to my stomach, dizzy and a little out of it.  Then I run for my meds!  I feel much more calm and depression isn't an issue.  Anorgasmia comes into play unfortunately with all antidepressants and adding Wellbutrin cost more and had NO effect at all.   I actually lost 10lbs on Effexor XR and kept it off.  Never stop taking any drug that changes or alters the chemicals in your brain.  It's a tapering off that will prevent any serious sudden side effects.  Would you ever abruptly stop taking a drug that effected your heart?  No so think about how stupid it would be to shut off the chemicals to your brain like a faucet...don't be stupid and blame it on the medication like so many of my friends have done.  You'll experience Seritonin syndrome.  Google it.  Here's to feeling in control again and whatever brought on the depression and anxiety...may not go away or change but now you are better 'equipped' to handle it.  ***one important thing too is a lot of times Antidepressants will be stimulating and cause you to have difficulty falling asleep...change it to the nights and ask for a temporary sleep aide.  The side effects definately taper off after a few weeks.    

I have been on a number of anti-depressants and they usually do cause me to gain weight. However, I have been on Prestiq for a couple of months and I have lost weight w/o any change in my eating or exercise patterns so at this point I believe it could be caused my the Prestiq.

I recently changed to prestiq from celexa and so far if anything, it has cut my appetite. Since I have had a gastic bypass, I will just need to take a multi-vitamin and make sure I am eating a good diet.

I started taking Prestiq for migraines, not depression.  Since I started taking it, I have easily gained a pound a week (and I am not one to gain weight easily).  So now I truly am depressed, and hoping that the Presiq helps with that.  I have no clothes that fit, and I feel bloated and plain horrible.

I have been on prestiq for 1 week and notice a slight decrease in appetite due to the fact that I have difficulty swallowing at times.  I do wake up at night a few times, but I am told that will go away.  It is helping the depression and anxiety for sure.  I feel more calm and able to control my emotions.