Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called
selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
For many drug switches, cross-tapering is the best technique to assure that the patient's anxiety/ depression is not unmasked from rapid drug withdrawal, while minimizing the risk of drug-drug interactions. In a cross-taper, the dose of the current antidepressant is gradually reduced, over a one to two week period or longer, while the dose of the antidepressant being initiated is gradually increased to therapeutic range over the same time period.
Switching between SSRIs — This is generally the simplest antidepressant switch. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) overlap in their mechanism of action, and the new SSRI will usually prevent discontinuation symptoms that may occur when the first SSRI is stopped.
The most important thing to remember is you will notice a change in your mood and often physically when cross-tapering but if you go slow and prepare you mind for a bit of a dip you will recognize the symptoms if they happen.
I wish you the best of luck with switching drugs - I have done this way to many times and cannot even recall which drug caused me the most problems.
Kindly,
Kitt