From the Research
Desvenlafaxine is typically initiated at 50 mg once daily, and for patients who may benefit from a higher dose, up-titration to 100 mg once daily can be considered after at least 7 days on the initial dose, as supported by studies such as 1. The recommended dose of desvenlafaxine ranges from 50 to 100 mg, with the maximum recommended daily dose being 100 mg, as clinical studies have not demonstrated additional benefits at higher doses, while side effects tend to increase, as noted in 2 and 3. When up-titrating, it's essential to monitor for side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Increased blood pressure Desvenlafaxine should be taken at approximately the same time each day, with or without food. For patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease, the recommended dose is 50 mg every other day, as indicated in 4. When discontinuing desvenlafaxine, a gradual dose reduction is recommended to minimize withdrawal symptoms, typically reducing by 50 mg at weekly intervals. Desvenlafaxine works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps improve mood and emotional regulation in patients with depression, as explained in 5 and 1.