From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant that should be used as a first-line treatment for major depressive disorder in adults, with a standard starting dose of 50 mg once daily, as it has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in clinical trials 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The medication should be taken whole without crushing or chewing due to its extended-release formulation.
- When discontinuing, the dose should be gradually reduced to minimize withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, and insomnia.
- Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite.
- Pristiq works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps regulate mood.
- Patients should be aware that full antidepressant effects may take 2-4 weeks to develop, and they should continue taking the medication even if they feel better.
- Those with liver or kidney problems may need dosage adjustments, and the medication should not be combined with MAO inhibitors.
Important Considerations
- Desvenlafaxine has a relatively low potential for drug-drug interactions due to its metabolic profile 2.
- Hepatic impairment does not significantly alter dose requirements, whereas severe renal disease requires some adjustments of dose.
- Desvenlafaxine may be suitable in patients with comorbid physical illnesses.
- Efficacy has been demonstrated in the subgroup of peri- and post-menopausal women with MDD, but not in children and adolescents 2.