Desvenlafaxine
Antidepressant · Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor
Indications
Major depressive disorder.
Dosage
Adults: 50 mg once daily. Children: Not recommended.
Adverse Effects
Nausea, dizziness, sleeplessness, excessive sweating, drowsiness, decreased appetite, anxiety and specific male sexual function disorders. Palpitations, fast heart rate and high blood pressure. Dry mouth, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting. Fatigue, chills, uneasiness and weakness. Decreased appetite and weight. Headache, tremor, tingling, disturbance in attention, nervousness, irritability and abnormal dreams. Urinary hesitation. Yawning and nose bleed. Excessive sweating and rash. Blurred vision, dilation of the pupil, ringing in the ear and loss of taste. Muscle stiffness. Hot flush and severe allergic reactions.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Concomitant use with MAOIs, potent CYP1A2 inhibitors. Hepatic or severe renal impairment. Uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Precautions: Patients with history of bleeding problems, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increased eye pressure, epilepsy, low sodium levels in the blood, heart, kidney or liver disease, elderly. May cause drowsiness, do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking this medication. Avoid alcohol consumption. Patient may develop with increased risk of behaviour changes or suicidal thoughts.
Interactions
Drugs metabolised by CYP2D6 (e.g. flecainide, vinblastine, carbamazepine, tricyclic antidepressants). Potent CYP1A2 inhibitors/inducers. CNS-active drugs e.g. diazepam, imipramine, phenytoin, haloperidol, alcohol.
Advice to Patient
Take with or without meals. Do not dissolve or divide or chew or crush extended release tablet. Take at the same time each day. Do not stop taking medication abruptly, gradually lower the dose and then stop. Contact prescriber if there is pain, constant cough, difficulty in breathing, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures, change in the amount of urine, eye pain/swelling/redness, changes in vision, severe headache, tremors, change in sexual desire, easy bruising or bleeding.
Pharmacokinetics
Bioavailability: Approx. 80%. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: Approx. 10-11 hrs. Excretion: Urine.
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.