Per doc, stopped pristiq (desvenlafaxine) (5 yrs)due to se's (nausea and high bp). depression is back and doc rx'd effexor xr. aren't they essentially the same drug?

Same class: Both drugs are nsris different chemical compasitons.Similar but different.

Metabolite: Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an active metabolite of effexor. The body converts the venlafaxine molecule into o-desmethylvenlafaxine. Some patients who had side effects on Effexor may not have them on pristiq (desvenlafaxine). I'm not familiar with patients having side effects with Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) doing better on effexor. I would consult with your physician to determine if side effects may be due to GI illness, not meds.