Do not use desvenlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Do not stop using desvenlafaxine without first talking to your doctor.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use  desvenlafaxine if you are allergic to desvenlafaxine or venlafaxine (Effexor).
Do not use desvenlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine. A dangerous drug interaction could occur.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a stroke;
bipolar disorder (manic depression);
depression, suicidal thoughts;
liver or kidney disease;
glaucoma;
seizures or epilepsy;
lung or breathing problems;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
low levels of sodium in your blood.
Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with desvenlafaxine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking desvenlafaxine during late pregnancy could increase your risk of excessive bleeding after you give birth, and may cause serious medical complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of desvenlafaxine on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Desvenlafaxine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take desvenlafaxine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take desvenlafaxine with water at the same time each day, with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Do not stop using desvenlafaxine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as dizziness, vomiting, agitation, sweating, confusion, numbness, tingling, or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Some tablets are made with a shell that is not absorbed or melted in the body. Part of this shell may appear in your stool. This is normal and will not make the medicine less effective.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
