title: Desvenlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine uptake inhibitor for major depressive disorder, neuropathic pain and the vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.
abstract: Desvenlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) developed by Wyeth, is a novel salt form of the isolated major active metabolite of the antidepressant venlafaxine. Desvenlafaxine was developed as a slow-release tablet formulation and rapidly penetrates the brain upon administration supporting its direct effects on neuronal systems of the brain. Unlike various other antidepressants including venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine is not metabolized by cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzyme pathways and is associated with minimal inhibition of CYP enzymes. This feature results in a comparatively low risk of drug-drug interaction and consistent intra-individual and inter-individual pharmacokinetic profiles. Desvenlafaxine has been recently approved by the US FDA for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) based on a series of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials indicating efficacy and safety for patients with MDD. Studies have also supported the potential utility of desvenlafaxine in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause, anxiety symptoms and painful physical symptoms. However, concerns including mixed efficacy and adverse events need to be further explored in future studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Holy Family Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Sosa-Dong, Wonmi-Gu, Pucheon, Kyounggi-Do, Republic of Korea. pae@catholic.ac.kr
authors.forename: Chi-Un
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Pae
authors.forename: Min-Hyeon
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Changsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Ashwin A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Patkar
authors.forename: Prakash S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Masand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000069468:Desvenlafaxine Succinate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069468:Desvenlafaxine Succinate; D009638:Norepinephrine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors