Close Banner
Brain Guides

Desvenlafaxine Guide: Pharmacology, Indications, Dosing Guidelines and Adverse Effects

Published on December 13, 2024 Certification expiration date: December 13, 2027

Sebastián Malleza, M.D.

Medical Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Free Downloads for Offline Access

  • Free Download PDF File

In a nutshell

Desvenlafaxine matches venlafaxine’s antidepressant efficacy while offering simpler dosing and minimal drug interactions. Desvenlafaxine lacks venlafaxine’s efficacy for anxiety and pain. Opt for desvenlafaxine when needing more straightforward dosing, or if there are drug interaction concerns. Consider venlafaxine for cases requiring flexible dosing or treatment beyond depression.

  • Compared to venlafaxine
    • Simplified dosing: 50 mg/day, starting and target dose.
    • Favorable tolerability profile: lower discontinuation rates, risk of sexual dysfunction, lower risk of drug-drug interactions [1].
    • Less versatile: FDA-approved only for MDD vs. multiple indications for venlafaxine.

Pharmacodynamics and mechanism of action

  • Potent and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition (SNRI), by blocking SERT and NET.
  • Compared to venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine shows more potent noradrenergic effects [2].
  • By blocking NET, desvenlafaxine increases prefrontal dopamine levels, suggesting potential benefits for MDD-related cognitive dysfunction.
    • Though mechanistically sound, clinical evidence for cognitive improvement remains preliminary [3].

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

  • Primarily metabolized through conjugation.
  • Minimal involvement of the CYP450 system.
    • Only minor oxidation occurs via CYP3A4.
    • CYP2D6 does not significantly metabolize desvenlafaxine.
  • No clinically significant interactions with drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes [4].
  • A preferred option for:
    • Patients at risk of drug-drug interactions.
    • Those with genetic polymorphisms affecting CYP2D6 activity [2].
  • Drug interactions:
    • Contraindicated with MAOIs.
    • Use caution with serotonergic agents (SNRIs, SSRIs, TCAs, triptans, buspirone, amphetamines, St. John’s Wort) due to serotonin syndrome risk.

Half-life

  • Approximately 11 hours, prolonged in renal failure and hepatic failure.
    • A longer half-life than venlafaxine (5 hours) contributes to a lower risk of discontinuation syndrome [5].

Dosage forms

  • Extended-release:
    • Tablets:
      • 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg.
      • Generic, Pristiq.
  • Formulation considerations:
    • Only the succinate salt form is currently available in the US market. Khedezla (base form) was discontinued.
    • The 25 mg tablet is intended primarily for gradual dose reduction when discontinuing treatment.
    • Extended-release tablets should be taken once daily, with or without food.
    • Desvenlafaxine ER tablets should not be split, crushed, or chewed, as this will disrupt the extended-release mechanism [4].

Indications

FDA-Approved Indications

Major depressive disorder

  • Current guidelines support desvenlafaxine as a first-line MDD treatment [6].
  • Desvenlafaxine may be particularly effective in older adults (>65 years) or those with more physical symptoms of depression [6].
  • SNRIs have been proposed to be especially effective for treating anhedonia and emotional blunting in MDD. This could be linked to their noradrenergic effect [7].
  • Dosing:
    • Starting dose: 50 mg/day, with or without food.
    • For most patients, 50 mg/day.
    • Target dose: 50 mg/day
    • Maximum recommended dose: 100 mg/day for patients who do not respond after 6 weeks (or 7 days in clinically urgent situations).
    • Higher doses (>50 mg) show no added benefit but increased side effects, leading to more discontinuations [8].

Off-Label Uses

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

  • SSRIs (escitalopram, paroxetine) and select SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine) are first-line options [9].
  • Despite being an SNRI, desvenlafaxine has limited evidence for GAD [10,11].

Social anxiety disorder

  • Desvenlafaxine did not differ from placebo in one study, while venlafaxine is a first-line drug for the treatment of social anxiety disorder [9].

Panic disorder

  • Desvenlafaxine has minimal evidence: just one retrospective chart review [12].
  • SSRIs and venlafaxine are considered to be first-line drugs according to clinical practice guidelines [9].

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against desvenlafaxine for the treatment of PTSD [13].
  • The VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommends paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine [14].

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

  • Desvenlafaxine lacks specific research, though venlafaxine has shown efficacy [15,16].
  • British guidelines favor two SSRIs for PMDD (fluoxetine, sertraline), with evidence supporting continuous over luteal-phase dosing [17,18].

Fibromyalgia

  • Desvenlafaxine is not a recommended treatment for fibromyalgia, with guidelines favoring other agents such as duloxetine and pregabalin [19].

Vasomotor symptoms of menopause

  • Desvenlafaxine may be an option in patients unable or unwilling to take estrogen. However, it is associated with higher rates of adverse events and discontinuation [20,21].
  • Dosing: Starting at 50 mg once daily, with increments up to a target dose of 100 mg daily [22].

Side Effects

Most common side effects

Gastrointestinal

  • Nausea
    • Less frequent than with venlafaxine [23].
    • Reassure your patient that it is not dangerous and usually improves over time.
    • Recommend ginger root in some form to alleviate nausea [24].
    • Start low, with half the intended dose.
  • Other GI effects:
    • Dry mouth.
    • Constipation.
    • Reduced apetite/Anorexia.

Other side effects

  • Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating (ADIES)
    • Incidence: 10% at 50mg dose [4].
    • Dose reduction isn’t usually practical with desvenlafaxine since 50mg is already the standard therapeutic dose.
    • Consider switching to an SSRI [25].
    • Terazosin and oxybutynin have shown efficacy in reducing ADIES [26,27].
  • Sleep and alertness
    • Insomnia (9-12%). Less prevalent than with venlafaxine across dosages [28].
    • Somnolence (9%) [4].
  • Dizziness (10-13%)
  • Sexual dysfunction
    • Ranking of risk: SSRIs and venlafaxine > tricyclics > other SNRIs [29].
    • Desvenlafaxine shows lower sexual dysfunction rates vs SSRIs/venlafaxine, possibly due to its unique pharmacodynamic profile [30].
  • Discontinuation syndrome
    • Increased incidence at higher dosages, possibly related to noradrenergic effects.
    • SNRIs, paroxetine, and mirtazapine have the highest risk among antidepressants [31].
    • 25mg dose available for tapering
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Lipid effects
    • Clinical trials show minor cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride elevations, typically not clinically significant at standard doses [28,32].

Severe side effects

  • Dose-related hypertension
    • Relatively low hypertension rates of 1.9-2.4% across its dosing range [33].
      • In comparison, venlafaxine causes hypertension in 10-15% (immediate-release) and 6% (extended-release) of patients [34].
    • When normotensive patients develop hypertension on SNRIs, do not immediately discontinue the medication. First, investigate other contributing factors [28].
  • Hyponatremia
    • Ranking of risk [35]:
      • MAOIs > SNRIs > SSRIs > TCAs > Mirtazapine
    • For hyponatremia-prone patients:
      • Mirtazapine should be considered the antidepressant of choice.
      • SNRIs should be prescribed more cautiously than SSRIs.
    • Higher risk: elderly, especially women on diuretics.
    • Monitor sodium in high-risk patients.
  • Serotonin syndrome
    • Risk increases with other serotonergic drugs.
  • Bleeding risk
    • Increased with aspirin, NSAIDs, and anticoagulants [4].
    • Monitor if the combination is necessary.

Use in special populations

Pregnancy

  • First-trimester safety:
    • No increased malformation risk across 3,186 pregnancies [36]
  • Maternal health risks:
    • SNRIs use in the final month before delivery has been associated with an increase in postpartum hemorrhage risk by up to 2-fold, but residual confounding possible [37,38].
    • Hypertensive complications emerge primarily after 20 weeks [39].
  • Neonatal effects:
    • PPHN risk elevated 1.83-fold, requiring 1,000 exposures for one case [40].
    • Transient complications like poor neonatal adaptation reported with third trimester exposure [41].

Breastfeeding

  • Generally safe – low infant exposure (6.8% maternal dose) [42].
  • May reduce breastfeeding initiation rates [43].
  • Rare reports of elevated prolactin/galactorrhea [44].

Hepatic impairment

  • Desvenlafaxine does not require dose adjustments for hepatic impairment.
  • Maximum dose 100 mg/day in moderate/severe impairment (Child-Pugh 7-15).
  • Its metabolism occurs independently of liver function.
    • This differs from venlafaxine and duloxetine, which have hepatic dosing restrictions [45].

Renal impairment

  • Mild (CLcr 60–89 mL/min):
    • No adjustment needed.
  • Moderate (CLcr 30–59 mL/min):
    • Maximum 50 mg/day.
  • Severe (CLcr <30 mL/min) or ESRD: Maximum 25 mg/day or 50 mg every other day.
  • Age-related renal decline alone doesn’t require adjustment [45].

Elderly

  • No dose adjustment is routinely needed.

Brand names

  • US: Pristiq
  • Canada: Pristiq
  • Other countries/regions: Alfaxin, Andes, Bedremine, Butran, Calmax, Dalilah, Datizine, Davlex, Deller, D-fax, D-flaxene, Disin, Drosix, Dt xt, Dvpex, Elifor, Elifore, Enzude, Exlov, Exsira, Fapris, Faxidepres, Hapytab, Imense, Indefa, Irsyn, Ixium, Lafaxine, Lafaxtor, Lornox, Mdd, Mistic, Neo moor, Nevola, Newven, Nexvenla, Oraxine, Prenexa, Prestiq, Prismaven, Pristimood, Pristiq, Qrist, Resvelare, Rielafix, Rytmise, Scotiq, Seristiq, Sigven, Siclot, Styma, Vaxoban, Velasar, Veldex, Vellana, Vendep, Vendexla, Venadex, Vencontrol, Venlatrope, Venlife, Venlite, Venpower, Vensol, Ventab, Venz, Zodel, Zyven

References

  1. Sampogna, G., Caraci, F., Carmassi, C., Dell’Osso, B., Ferrari, S., Martinotti, G., Sani, G., Serafini, G., Signorelli, M. S., & Fiorillo, A. (2023). Efficacy and tolerability of desvenlafaxine in the real-world treatment of patients with major depression: A narrative review and an expert opinion paper. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy24(14), 1511–1525. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2023.2237410
  2. Colvard, M. D. (2014). Key differences between Venlafaxine XR and Desvenlafaxine: An analysis of pharmacokinetic and clinical data. Mental Health Clinician4(1), 35–39. https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.n186977
  3. Blumberg, M. J., Vaccarino, S. R., & McInerney, S. J. (2020). Procognitive Effects of Antidepressants and Other Therapeutic Agents in Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry81(4). https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.19r13200
  4. Food, U. S., & Administration, D. (2023). PRISTIQ (desvenlafaxine) Extended-Release Tablets Prescribing Informationhttps://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021992s051lbl.pdf
  5. Puzantian, T., & Carlat, D. (2024). Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice 7th Edition.
  6. Lam, R. W., Kennedy, S. H., Adams, C., Bahji, A., Beaulieu, S., Bhat, V., Blier, P., Blumberger, D. M., Brietzke, E., Chakrabarty, T., Do, A., Frey, B. N., Giacobbe, P., Gratzer, D., Grigoriadis, S., Habert, J., Ishrat Husain, M., Ismail, Z., McGirr, A., … Milev, R. V. (2024). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l’humeur et de l’anxiété (CANMAT) 2023 : Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes. Can. J. Psychiatry69(9), 641–687. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437241245384
  7. Allam, M. A. (2023). Is the most really the best: A review for the most selective SSRI concept three decades later. European Psychiatry66(S1), S417–S417. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.899
  8. Clayton, A. H., Tourian, K. A., Focht, K., Hwang, E., Cheng, R.-F. J., & Thase, M. E. (2015). Desvenlafaxine 50 and 100 mg/d versus placebo for the treatment of major depressive disorder: A phase 4, randomized controlled trial. J. Clin. Psychiatry76(5), 562–569. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.13m08978
  9. Bandelow, B., Allgulander, C., Baldwin, D. S., Costa, D. L. da C., Denys, D., Dilbaz, N., Domschke, K., Eriksson, E., Fineberg, N. A., Hättenschwiler, J., Hollander, E., Kaiya, H., Karavaeva, T., Kasper, S., Katzman, M., Kim, Y.-K., Inoue, T., Lim, L., Masdrakis, V., … Zohar, J. (2023). World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for treatment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and posttraumatic stress disorders – Version 3. Part I: Anxiety disorders. World J. Biol. Psychiatry24(2), 79–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/15622975.2022.2086295
  10. Kornstein, S. G., Guico-Pabia, C. J., & Fayyad, R. S. (2014). The effect of desvenlafaxine 50 mg/day on a subpopulation of anxious/depressed patients: A pooled analysis of seven randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Hum. Psychopharmacol.29(5), 492–501. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2427
  11. Tourian, K. A., Jiang, Q., & Ninan, P. T. (2010). Analysis of the effect of desvenlafaxine on anxiety symptoms associated with major depressive disorder: Pooled data from 9 short-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. CNS Spectr.15(3), 187–193. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1092852900027450
  12. Min Lee, S., & Kyung Park, J. (2022). Desvenlafaxine extended-release in panic disorder: A retrospective chart review. Alpha Psychiatry23(3), 142–143. https://doi.org/10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2022.21703
  13. Schnurr, P. P., Hamblen, J. L., Wolf, J., Coller, R., Collie, C., Fuller, M. A., Holtzheimer, P. E., Kelly, U., Lang, A. J., McGraw, K., Morganstein, J. C., Norman, S. B., Papke, K., Petrakis, I., Riggs, D., Sall, J. A., Shiner, B., Wiechers, I., & Kelber, M. S. (2024). The Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder: Synopsis of the 2023 U.s. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.s. Department of Defense clinical practice guideline. Ann. Intern. Med.177(3), 363–374. https://doi.org/10.7326/M23-2757
  14. Williams, T., Phillips, N. J., Stein, D. J., & Ipser, J. C. (2022). Pharmacotherapy for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane Database Syst. Rev.3, CD002795. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002795.pub3
  15. Hsiao, M.-C., & Liu, C.-Y. (2003). Effective open-label treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with venlafaxine. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences57(3), 317–321. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.2003.01123.x
  16. Cohen, L. S., Soares, C. N., Lyster, A., Cassano, P., Brandes, M., & Leblanc, G. A. (2004). Efficacy and Tolerability of Premenstrual Use of Venlafaxine (Flexible Dose) in the Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology24(5), 540–543. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jcp.0000138767.53976.10
  17. Green, L. J., Obrien, P., Panay, N., & Craig, M. (2017). Management of premenstrual syndrome. BJOG124, e73–e105.
  18. Jespersen, C., Lauritsen, M. P., Frokjaer, V. G., & Schroll, J. B. (2024). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev.8(8), CD001396. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001396.pub4
  19. Kia, S., & Choy, E. (2017). Update on treatment guideline in fibromyalgia syndrome with focus on pharmacology. Biomedicines5(2), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines5020020
  20. Nonhormonal management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: 2015 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. (2015). Menopause22(11), 1155-72; quiz 1173-4. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000546
  21. Berhan, Y., & Berhan, A. (2014). Is desvenlafaxine effective and safe in the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms? A meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized double-blind controlled studies. Ethiop. J. Health Sci.24(3), 209–218. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v24i3.4
  22. Sun, Z., Hao, Y., & Zhang, M. (2013). Efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine treatment for hot flashes associated with menopause: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol. Obstet. Invest.75(4), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.1159/000348564
  23. Oliva, V., Lippi, M., Paci, R., Del Fabro, L., Delvecchio, G., Brambilla, P., De Ronchi, D., Fanelli, G., & Serretti, A. (2021). Gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry109, 110266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110266
  24. Kelly, K., Posternak, M., & Jonathan, E. A. (2008). Toward achieving optimal response: Understanding and managing antidepressant side effects. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience10(4), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2008.10.4/kkelly
  25. Demling, J., Beyer, S., & Kornhuber, J. (2010). To sweat or not to sweat? A hypothesis on the effects of venlafaxine and SSRIs. Medical Hypotheses74(1), 155–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2009.07.011
  26. Ghaleiha, A., Shahidi, K. M., Afzali, S., & Matinnia, N. (2013). Effect of terazosin on sweating in patients with major depressive disorder receiving sertraline: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice17(1), 44–47. https://doi.org/10.3109/13651501.2012.687449
  27. Grootens, K. P. (2011). Oxybutynin for antidepressant-induced hyperhidrosis. The American Journal of Psychiatry168(3), 330–331. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10091348
  28. Goldberg, J. F., & Ernst, C. L. (2018). Managing the Side Effects of Psychotropic Medications (2nd ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. https://www.perlego.com/book/4276007/managing-the-side-effects-of-psychotropic-medications-pdf?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&campaignid=19798557528&adgroupid=167850339806&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxKy5BhBbEiwAYiW–0Vjffl7eUvQrh8fYFOhOKx6pFHCz5G55nWtyGe5ei5zL_AvfwKTvhoCgasQAvD_BwE
  29. Winter, J., Curtis, K., Hu, B., & Clayton, A. H. (2022). Sexual dysfunction with major depressive disorder and antidepressant treatments: Impact, assessment, and management. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety21(7), 913–930. https://doi.org/10.1080/14740338.2022.2049753
  30. Montejo, A. L., Becker, J., Bueno, G., Fernández-Ovejero, R., Gallego, M. T., González, N., Juanes, A., Montejo, L., Pérez-Urdániz, A., Prieto, N., & Villegas, J. L. (2019). Frequency of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Treated with Desvenlafaxine: A Prospective Naturalistic Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine8(5), 719. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8050719
  31. Horowitz, M. A., Framer, A., Hengartner, M. P., Sørensen, A., & Taylor, D. (2023). Estimating Risk of Antidepressant Withdrawal from a Review of Published Data. CNS Drugs37(2), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-022-00960-y
  32. 32. Lieberman, D. Z., & Massey, S. H. (2010). Desvenlafaxine in major depressive disorder: An evidence-based review of its place in therapy. Core Evidence4, 67. https://doi.org/10.2147/ce.s5998
  33. Thase, M. E., Fayyad, R., Cheng, R. J., Guico-Pabia, C. J., Sporn, J., Boucher, M., & Tourian, K. A. (2015). Effects of desvenlafaxine on blood pressure in patients treated for major depressive disorder: A pooled analysis. Current Medical Research and Opinion31(4), 809–820. https://doi.org/10.1185/03007995.2015.1020365
  34. Calvi, A., Fischetti, I., Verzicco, I., Belvederi Murri, M., Zanetidou, S., Volpi, R., Coghi, P., Tedeschi, S., Amore, M., & Cabassi, A. (2021). Antidepressant Drugs Effects on Blood Pressure. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine8, 704281. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.704281
  35. Gheysens, T., Van Den Eede, F., & De Picker, L. (2024). The risk of antidepressant-induced hyponatremia: A meta-analysis of antidepressant classes and compounds. European Psychiatry67(1), e20. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.11
  36. Lassen, D., Ennis, Z. N., & Damkier, P. (2016). First-Trimester Pregnancy Exposure to Venlafaxine or Duloxetine and Risk of Major Congenital Malformations: A Systematic Review. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology118(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.12497
  37. Hanley, G. E., Smolina, K., Mintzes, B., Oberlander, T. F., & Morgan, S. G. (2016). Postpartum Hemorrhage and Use of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants in Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology127(3), 553. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001200
  38. Palmsten, K., Huybrechts, K. F., Michels, K. B., Williams, P. L., Mogun, H., Setoguchi, S., & Hernández-Díaz, S. (2013). Antidepressant Use and Risk for Preeclampsia. Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)24(5), 682–691. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e31829e0aaa
  39. Newport, D. J., Hostetter, A. L., Juul, S. H., Porterfield, M. S., Knight, B. T., & Stowe, Z. N. (2016). Prenatal psychostimulant and antidepressant exposure and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry77(11), 1538–1545. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.15m10506
  40. Masarwa, R., Bar-Oz, B., Gorelik, E., Reif, S., Perlman, A., & Matok, I. (2019). Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology220(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2018.08.030
  41. Kieviet, N., Hoppenbrouwers, C., Dolman, K. M., Berkhof, J., Wennink, H., & Honig, A. (2015). Risk factors for poor neonatal adaptation after exposure to antidepressants in utero. Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway: 1992)104(4), 384–391. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.12921
  42. Desvenlafaxine. (2006). In Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501592/
  43. Grzeskowiak, L. E., Saha, M. R., Nordeng, H., Ystrom, E., & Amir, L. H. (2022). Perinatal antidepressant use and breastfeeding outcomes: Findings from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica101(3), 344. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14324
  44. Tourian, K. A., Pitrosky, B., Padmanabhan, S. K., & Rosas, G. R. (2011). A 10-Month, Open-Label Evaluation of Desvenlafaxine in Outpatients With Major Depressive Disorder. The Primary Care Companion to CNS Disorders13(2), PCC.10m00977. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.10m00977blu
  45. 4Nichols, A. I., Tourian, K. A., Tse, S. Y., & Paul, J. (2010). Desvenlafaxine for major depressive disorder: Incremental clinical benefits from a second-generation serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology6(12), 1565–1574. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425255.2010.535810

Learning Objectives:
After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast the pharmacological properties of desvenlafaxine with venlafaxine.
  2. Evaluate the clinical evidence and appropriate use of desvenlafaxine across various FDA-approved and off-label indications.
  3. Identify and manage key side effects of desvenlafaxine, while recognizing specific considerations for special populations.

Original Release Date: December 13, 2024
Expiration Date: December 13, 2027

Faculty: Sebastián Malleza, M.D.
Medical Editor: Flavio Guzmán, M.D. 

Relevant Financial Disclosures:
None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity has relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:
Participants must complete the activity online within the valid credit period noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

  1. View the required educational content provided on this course page.
  2. Complete the Post-Activity Evaluation to provide the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
  3. Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Free Files
Success!
Check your inbox, we sent you all the materials there.
Continue in the website
Instant access modal

Become a Silver, Gold, Silver extended or Gold extended Member.

2025–26 Psychopharmacology CME Program

Unlock up to 155 CME Credits, including 40 SA CME Credits.