Desvenlafaxine
About Desvenlafaxine
Desvenlafaxine is used to treat a major depressive disorder (depression). Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistent and intense feeling of sadness for an extended duration of time.
Desvenlafaxine contains desvenlafaxine, which increases the levels of certain chemical messengers (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain. Thereby, it helps improve mood.
Take Desvenlafaxine as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, you may experience side effects such as nausea, dizziness, sleep problems, constipation, sleepiness, loss of appetite, and anxiety. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Before taking Desvenlafaxine, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of its components or if you are pregnant/breastfeeding, and about all the medications you are taking and pre-existing medical conditions. Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, such as killing or harming yourself.
Uses of Desvenlafaxine
Medicinal Benefits
- Desvenlafaxine belongs to a group of antidepressant medicines indicated for the treatment of a major depressive disorder.
- Helps treat depression by improving mood, energy, and interest in daily activities.
- Reduces anxiety symptoms such as excessive worry and tension.
- Improves focus and concentration by balancing serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
- Helps relieve physical symptoms linked to depression, like body aches and fatigue.
Directions for Use
- Desvenlafaxine can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- It is usually taken once a day or as directed by the doctor.
- Swallow Desvenlafaxine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Desvenlafaxine
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia (sleeplessness)
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Erectile dysfunction
Medicines Containing this Salt
View All
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Desvenlafaxine if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you are taking linezolid, intravenous methylene blue, other serotonergic agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or have taken them in the last 14 days.
- Inform your doctor before taking Desvenlafaxine if you have heart problems, hypotension, bipolar disorder, glaucoma, epilepsy, lung or breathing problems, bleeding problems, or low sodium levels in the blood.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, such as killing or harming yourself.
- Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Desvenlafaxine should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- Avoid consuming alcohol along with Desvenlafaxine as it could lead to increased sleepiness and dizziness.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Desvenlafaxine may interact with certain medicines, potentially increasing side effects. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Drugs used for mental conditions (Aripiprazole, Quetiapine)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of serotonin syndrome (a life-threatening condition). - Drugs used for depression (Amitriptyline, Venlafaxine)
• Potential effect: May affect the brain and nerve cells due to the increase in serotonin levels. - MAO Inhibitors (Selegiline)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of serotonin syndrome (a life-threatening condition). - Herbal medicine (St.John's wort)
• Potential effect: May cause serotonin syndrome (a life-threatening condition).
Drug-Food Interactions:
- Alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol along with Desvenlafaxine as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Desvenlafaxine, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Urinary tract obstruction
- Glaucoma
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Renal disease
- Mania
- Hyponatremia (low levels of sodium).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Desvenlafaxine as it may cause increased sleepiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionDesvenlafaxine belongs to pregnancy category C. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionDesvenlafaxine may pass into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking Desvenlafaxine your doctor will decide whether Desvenlafaxine can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
unsafeDesvenlafaxine causes sleepiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeDesvenlafaxine should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Healthy eating habits:
- To promote general mental health, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
- To avoid constipation and dry mouth, which might happen after taking desvenlafaxine, drink plenty of water.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine since they can exacerbate side effects, anxiety, or sleep issues.
- Desvenlafaxine can slightly increase blood pressure, so cut back on processed and salty meals to help control it.
Lifestyle changes:
- To elevate your mood and lessen exhaustion, keep your sleep and wake times consistent.
- To maximise the benefits of antidepressants, engage in regular exercise (walking, yoga, mild workouts).
- Use relaxation methods, such as deep breathing or meditation, to reduce tension.
- Steer clear of alcohol and smoke in moderation since they can exacerbate depression and other negative effects.
Follow-up:
- Attend routine follow-up appointments to evaluate daily functioning, anxiety levels, and mood improvement
- Keep an eye out for adverse effects such as headaches, nausea, altered sleep patterns, or elevated blood pressure.
- Regularly check your blood pressure, especially in the initial weeks of medication.
- Any agitation, suicidal thoughts, or deepening depression should be reported right away.
- Do not stop taking the medication or alter the dosage without first talking to your doctor.
Special Advise
- Do not stop taking Desvenlafaxine suddenly, as it might cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, such as killing or harming yourself or experience any unusual bleeding or bruising.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Major depressive disorder: Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistent and intense feeling of sadness for an extended duration of time. It mainly impacts mood, behaviour, and other physical functions, such as sleep and appetite. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest, appetite changes, sleep problems, restlessness, lack of energy, feeling worthless or guilty, thoughts of harming oneself, difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and thinking. The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, factors such as stress, changes in hormone levels, alcohol or drug abuse, abuse during childhood, certain medical conditions and medications might increase the risk of developing depression.
FAQs
Desvenlafaxine is used to treat a major depressive disorder (depression).
Desvenlafaxine works by increasing the levels of certain chemical messengers (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain, which help maintain mental balance and regulate mood, thereby treating depression.
Do not discontinue Desvenlafaxine without consulting your doctor, as it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. To treat your condition effectively, continue taking Desvenlafaxine for as long as prescribed. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you experience any difficulties while taking Desvenlafaxine.
Desvenlafaxine may cause decreased sex drive (libido) and problems with ejaculation and orgasm. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Hypertension should be controlled before starting treatment with Desvenlafaxine. Therefore, consult your doctor if you have high blood pressure. Regular monitoring of blood pressure levels is advised while taking Desvenlafaxine.
Desvenlafaxine may increase the chances of bleeding and bruising. The risk increases when Desvenlafaxine is taken along with painkillers and blood thinners. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising.
When taken along with other medicines, Desvenlafaxine may cause a rare but potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This condition causes changes in how the brain, blood vessels, muscles and digestive system work. Avoid taking Desvenlafaxine along with MAOIs (used to treat depression), linezolid, intravenous methylene blue and other serotonergic agents.
Desvenlafaxine may dilate your pupils (widen the dark centres of your eyes). This can trigger a glaucoma attack. Before taking Desvenlafaxine, consult your doctor if you have glaucoma.
Desvenlafaxine may cause seizures. If you have ever had a seizure, tell your doctor before taking Desvenlafaxine.
Many people have sexual side effects when using antidepressants. Working together with your doctor will help you find a solution that addresses both your mental and sexual wellness.
You may have to take Desvenlafaxine for several weeks before you begin to feel better.
Desvenlafaxine can begin lowering symptoms in as little as one week, according to one clinical study. Generally, you'll start to feel the full effects after taking it for eight weeks.
Take Desvenlafaxine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare practitioner. Take Desvenlafaxine once a day, about the same time every day. Desvenlafaxine can be taken with or without food. Swallow the medicine as a whole with water.
It should be swallowed whole with fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or dissolved.
Desvenlafaxine typically does not cause weight gain for most people. In very rare cases, people taking it experience weight changes (gain or loss) of less than 2 kgs.
Desvenlafaxine may cause sexual dysfunction; however, men are more affected than women. If it happens to you, please seek medical attention from your doctor.
Common side effects of Desvenlafaxine may include nausea, dizziness, insomnia (sleep problems), constipation, sleepiness, loss of appetite, anxiety and male sexual dysfunction disorders.
