DESVENLAFAXINE

Consult your doctor immediately if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech).

Side effects may range from mild to serious complications.  Consult your doctor immediately when you feel the following symptoms: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, or excessive sweating, raise your blood pressure, severe/pounding headache, shakiness (tremor), decreased interest in sex, changes in sexual ability, easy bruising/bleeding, chest pain, persistent cough, shortness of breath, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures, change in the amount of urine, eye pain/swelling/redness, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night, serotonin syndrome/toxicity- fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.

Seek emergency medical help if you expereince allergies (rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing) or the symptoms mentioned above while taking this drug.

Also, an empty tablet shell may appear in your stool but this is harmless.

Inform your doctor of your allergies (food or drugs), medical conditions and  medical history before taking this drug, especially of: personal or family history of psychiatric disorders (such as bipolar/manic-depressive disorder), personal or family history of suicide attempts, bleeding problems, personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type), high blood pressure, heart problems (such as chest pain, heart failure, heart attack), history of stroke, high cholesterol, kidney disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia).

Do not perform activities that require alertness such as driving and using machinery because thid drug can make you dizzy.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children, older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug.  Older adults may experience dizziness when standing and bleeding, and mineral imbalance.  Children may experience loss of appetite and weight loss.

For pregnant and nursing (breastfeeding) women, consult your doctor before using this medication.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, “blood thinners” such as dabigatran/warfarin), MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), ASPIRIN.

Desvenlafaxine is very similar to venlafaxine. Do not use medications containing venlafaxine while using desvenlafaxine.

Overdose
Get medical emergency help immediately when you experience symptoms of overdose.

Missed Dose
Take it as soon as you remember.  Do not increase the dose to catch up. If it is less than 6 hours until the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.

Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Open only one bottle at a time, and once the bottle is opened, the medication must be thrown away after 4 months. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Discard the drug properly- do not throw in toilet or sink.

Brands
Available Brands
Pristiq SR [ Pfizer ]