Is it more likely a side effect of an increased dose of Pristiq or a flu that is causing confusion - muscle weakness - dizziness - shortness of breath - nausea - panic attacks?

Answer 1

The Pristiq literature indicates you should report these symptoms promptly to your prescribing physician. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath could be a sign of allergy, especially if accompanied by a rash or hives.

Always read the literature that comes with your new prescriptions, it will tell you about the typical side effects and what symptoms might be a sign of something more urgent to talk to your prescribing doctor about. With Pristiq, panic attacksis one of the symptoms that requires very promptreporting to your doctor as a potentially very serious side effect.

Other symptoms that should be urgently reported are: mood changes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

A number of the symptoms you give are also possibly due to the medication, and the literature says you should call your doctor at once for these serious symptoms, too:

confusion, nausea, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, seizures, high fever, sweating, fast uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes, very stiff muscles, restlessness, cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, coughing up blood, easy bruising, headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Some symptoms that may be less serious side effects of the drug but should also be reported are: dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling, dry mouth, loss of appetite, constipation, insomnia, blurred vision, impotence.

Having said that, many of the symptoms you describe could also be attributed to the flu, but only your doctor can determine which might be the problem in your individual case. Influenza symptoms are commonly: shortness of breath, nausea, weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever, headaches, chest pain.