desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

1. Understanding Depression Slideshow
2. Take the Depression Quiz
3. Benefits of Depression Treatment

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

View Full Profile

Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

View Full Profile

GENERIC NAME: desvenlafaxine

BRAND NAME: Pristiq

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Desvenlafaxine is an oral drug that is used for treating depression. It is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI); a class that also contains venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). (Desvenlafaxine is an active metabolite of venlafaxine, that is, it is a product of venlafaxine that is manufactured by the body from venlafaxine.) Desvenlafaxine affects neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves within the brain make and release in order to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters either travel across the space between nerves and attach to receptors on the surface of nearby nerves or they attach to receptors on the surface of the nerves that produced them, to be taken up by the nerve and released again (a process referred to as re-uptake).

Many experts believe that an imbalance among neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Serotonin and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters released by nerves in the brain. Desvenlafaxine works by preventing the reuptake of serotonin and epinephrine by nerves after they have been released. Since uptake is an important mechanism for removing released neurotransmitters and terminating their actions on adjacent nerves, the reduced uptake caused by desvenlafaxine increases the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The FDA approved desvenlafaxine in February 2008.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS: Tablets (extended release): 50, and 100 mg

STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature, 68-77 F (20-25 C).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Desvenlafaxine is used for the treatment of major depression.

DOSING: The recommended dose of desvenlafaxine is 50 mg daily, with or without food. Doses greater than 50 mg are not more effective but cause more side effects.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: All SNRIs, including desvenlafaxine, should not be taken with any of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) class of antidepressants, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl), and procarbazine (Matulane) or other drugs that inhibit monoamine oxidase [for example, linezolid (Zyvox)]. Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Desvenlafaxine should not be administered within 14 days after stopping MAOIs and MAOIs should not be administered within 7 days of stopping desvenlafaxine.

Similar reactions may occur if desvenlafaxine is combined with other SNRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [for example, fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil)] or other drugs that increase serotonin in the brain, for example, tryptophan, St. John's wort, meperidine (Demerol) or tramadol (Ultram).

SNRIs may increase the effect of warfarin (Coumadin), leading to excessive bleeding. Warfarin therapy should be monitored more frequently in patients who are also taking desvenlafaxine. Combining SNRIs with aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other drugs that affect bleeding may increase the likelihood of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric) may reduce the breakdown of desvenlafaxine, therefore increasing concentrations of desvenlafaxine in the body and the risk of adverse effects. Desvenlafaxine may reduce the concentration of midazolam (Versed).

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.