Desvenlafaxine Usage

Desvenlafaxine is used in the treatment of depression.

How Desvenlafaxine works

Desvenlafaxine works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.

Common side effects of Desvenlafaxine

Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Anxiety, Increased sweating, Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), Constipation, Decreased appetite, Sexual dysfunction

Expert advice for Desvenlafaxine

• You may have to wait for 2 to 4 weeks to get the full effect.
• If your doctor asks you to stop Desvenlafaxine, you should not discontinue it abruptly. Many patients tolerate decreasing 50% dose every 3 days however if the withdrawal symptoms emerge during tapering it would require more gradual tapering over few weeks.
• Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with any heart problems (heart attack, heart failure, slow or irregular heart rate).
• Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver problems.
• It can cause a sensation of restlessness or an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. You should tell your doctor if this happens to you.
• It may be more effective in some patients with depression who fails to respond to selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRI) e.g. Fluoxetine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. Is Desvenlafaxine a narcotic?
No. Desvenlafaxine is not a narcotic drug. Narcotics are drugs with sleep inducing properties, usual derivatives of Opium like Heroin and Morphine.

Ques. Q. What is the difference between Desvenlafaxine ER or Desvenlafaxine succinate?
Desvenlafaxine ER or XR both means extended release preparation which releases the medication slowly into the body and maintains a constant needed medications levels. The advantage of taking ER/XR tablets is the frequency of dosage can be decreased.

Ques. Q. How to wean Desvenlafaxine?
Weaning of Desvenlafaxine can be done by a gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. Abrupt cessation of the therapy leads to a lot of adverse effects.

Ques. Q. How is Desvenlafaxine different from venlafaxine?
Desvenlafaxine is an active metabolite of venlafaxine. It is the same medication in an active form.

Ques. Q. How is Desvenlafaxine works?
Desvenlafaxine is a potent and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Desvenlafaxine is thought to be related to the potentiation of the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.

Ques. Q. When to take Desvenlafaxine?
Take Desvenlafaxine exactly as advised by your doctor. Take Desvenlafaxine at about the same time each day with or without food. Swallow Desvenlafaxine tablets in whole, with fluid. Do not crush, cut, chew, or dissolve the tablets because the tablets may be time-released.

Ques. Q. Can Desvenlafaxine be switched to sertraline?
Yes. It can be switched but discontinuation symptoms are common while changing the therapy. So, tapering of the antidepressant may be necessary to minimise discontinuation symptoms. The switch over of the therapy from Desvenlafaxine should be done by the doctor. Do inform your doctor about all your present medications before starting the therapy.

Ques. Q. Are there any alternatives to Desvenlafaxine?
Yes. There are many alternatives to Desvenlafaxine. You should use the alternative under the guidance of your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Desvenlafaxine good medication for anxiety?
Desvenlafaxine can be taken in anxiety and panic disorders. It is also used for the treatment of depression.

Ques. Q. Does Desvenlafaxine cause sedation?
Yes. Desvenlafaxine is known to cause sedation. Do not take this medication with other sleep inducing drugs it may lead to excess sleepiness, drowsiness, decreased concentration and difficulty in work. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.

Ques. Q. Does Desvenlafaxine be used to treat menopausal vasomotor symptoms?
Desvenlafaxine is approved for treatment of depression but few types of research have shown the efficacy of desvenlafaxine in the treatment of hot flashes.

Ques. Q. Can Desvenlafaxine be used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Desvenlafaxine is not approved for the treatment of IBS. It is approved for treatment of depression but few types of research have shown the efficacy of desvenlafaxine in the treatment of IBS.

Ques. Q. Can I use Desvenlafaxine for depression?
Yes. Desvenlafaxine is a medication approved for the treatment of depression. Do not start Desvenlafaxine by yourself. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.

Ques. Q. Can I use Desvenlafaxine for a migraine?
No. Desvenlafaxine is approved for treatment of a migraine. It is used in the treatment of depression.

Ques. Q. Can hot flashes be treated with Desvenlafaxine?
Desvenlafaxine is not approved for treatment of depression but few types of research have shown the efficacy of desvenlafaxine in the treatment of hot flashes.

Ques. Q. Can I use Desvenlafaxine for social anxiety?
Desvenlafaxine is approved for treatment of depression but few types of research have shown the efficacy of desvenlafaxine in the treatment of social anxiety.

Ques. Q. Can neuropathic pain be treated with Desvenlafaxine?
Desvenlafaxine is not approved for treatment of neuropathic pain. It is an antidepressant. It is used off-label for treatment of neuropathic pain.

Ques. Q. Which medication is best, Desvenlafaxine or escitalopram?
Both are antidepressant medication and the therapy is decided by the type of patient, however, some studies show escitalopram is almost similar to Desvenlafaxine.

Ques. Q. Can I take tramadol along with Desvenlafaxine?
No. Tramadol should be absolutely avoided with Desvenlafaxine. They both cause an increase in the levels of serotonin in the body increasing the chances of potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

Ques. Q. Can venlafaxine be switched to Desvenlafaxine abruptly?
No. You should not change or switch over to any other drug. It may lead to various adverse effects called as discontinuation symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you are not comfortable with Desvenlafaxine and it should be tapered slowly and then stopped.

Ques. Q. What should I avoid while taking Desvenlafaxine?
You should avoid taking any other antidepressants medications, medicines to treat migraine headaches known as triptans,medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic, or thought disorders, including tricyclics, lithium, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), antipsychotic drugs, or other dopamine antagonists, such as metoclopramide.

Ques. Q. How long should I continue taking Desvenlafaxine?
Desvenlafaxine is an antidepressant medication. These medications are to be taken for a long duration of months or year. The exact duration of treatment is decided by the improvement of the symptom.

Ques. Q. Will Desvenlafaxine affect my sex drive?
There are few cases reports to suggest that it effect sex drive but not all patients suffer from that.