Desvenlafaxine belongs to the class of antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is used to treat Depression.

It works on the central nervous system (CNS) to elevate mood by increasing the amount of 2 neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) called serotonin and norepinephrine that are available in certain parts of the brain. It may take several weeks before the full benefits of Apo Desvenlafaxine are seen.

Apo Desvenlafaxine may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Apo Desvenlafaxine may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Apo Desvenlafaxine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Apo Desvenlafaxine without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Apo Desvenlafaxine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended starting dose of desvenlafaxine for adults is 50 mg once daily at approximately the same time each day. If necessary, your doctor may increase your dose to a maximum of 100 mg daily.

Desvenlafaxine may be taken with or without food. Apo Desvenlafaxine must be swallowed whole with fluid. Do not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve Apo Desvenlafaxine before swallowing it.

When taking Apo Desvenlafaxine, you may see something in your stool that looks like a tablet. This is the empty shell after the medication has been absorbed by your body.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Apo Desvenlafaxine at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Apo Desvenlafaxine. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Apo Desvenlafaxine with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Apo Desvenlafaxine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abnormal dreams
• anxiety
• chills
• Constipation
• decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty urinating
• dilated pupils
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• feeling jittery
• hair loss
• headache
• hot flushes
• increased sweating
• irritability
• muscle stiffness
• nausea
• nervousness
• rash
• ringing in the ears
• sexual problems (such as decreased sex drive, difficulty getting an erection, or difficulty having an orgasm)
• spinning sensation
• taste changes
• tingling, burning, or prickly sensations
• trembling or shaking
• trouble sleeping
• tiredness
• vision changes
• vomiting
• weakness
• weight changes
• yawning

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• cold hands and feet
• dizziness when rising from standing or lying position
• fainting
• increased blood pressure
• increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• new or worsened emotional or behavioural problems
• pounding or fast heartbeat
• signs of bleeding (e.g., bloody nose, blood in urine, unusual bruising, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• symptoms of increased pressure in the eyes (e.g., decreased or blurred vision, eye pain, red eye, swelling of the eye)
• symptoms of low sodium levels in the blood (e.g., achy, stiff, or uncoordinated muscles; confusion, tiredness, weakness)
• symptoms of mania (e.g., decreased need for sleep, elevated or irritable mood, racing thoughts)
• uncontrollable movements of the body or face

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• seizure
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• symptoms of severely increased blood pressure: (e.g., chest pain, blurred vision, dizziness, excessive tiredness, headache, stronger or faster heartbeat)
• symptoms of serotonin syndrome
• confusion
• fast heartbeat
• hallucinations
• restlessness
• shaking
• shivering
• sudden jerking of muscles
• sweating

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Apo Desvenlafaxine.

50 mg
Each light pink, rounded-square-shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablet, engraved with "APO" on one side and "DV" over "50" on the other side, contains 50 mg of desvenlafaxine (as base). Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous citric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, euroxide red iron oxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.

100 mg
Each reddish-orange, rounded-square-shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablet, engraved with "APO" on one side and "DV" over "100" on the other side, contains 100 mg of desvenlafaxine (as base). Nonmedicinal ingredients: anhydrous citric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, euroxide red iron oxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide, and red iron oxide.