Summary
Commonly reported side effects of desvenlafaxine include: constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, nausea, decreased appetite, hyperhidrosis, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: anxiety, blurred vision, mydriasis, tremor, vertigo, vomiting, abnormal dreams, chills, and yawning. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to desvenlafaxine: oral tablet extended release.
Warning
Oral route (Tablet, Extended Release)
Antidepressant use has been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared with placebo in adults beyond age 24, and there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared with placebo in adults aged 65 or older. Monitor patients closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Desvenlafaxine is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
Oral route (Tablet, Extended Release)
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults during short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared with placebo in adults older than 24 years, and there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared with placebo in adults aged 65 or older. Monitor patients closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Not approved for use in pediatric patients.
Serious side effects of Desvenlafaxine
Along with its needed effects, desvenlafaxine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking desvenlafaxine:
Less common
- Chills
- cold sweats
- confusion
- continuous ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- delayed or inability to have an orgasm
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast, pounding, or irregular pulse
- fear or nervousness
- headache
- hearing loss
- inability to have or keep an erection
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
- weakness
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- blood in the stool or urine
- chest tightness, discomfort, or pain
- cough
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- dilated or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
- dizziness
- feeling irritated
- fainting
- fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- fever
- hives, itching, or rash
- hoarseness
- indigestion
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
- loss of appetite
- loss of bladder control
- muscle pain
- muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- nausea
- nosebleeds
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red skin
- seizures
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sudden loss of consciousness
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
- talking, feeling, or acting with excitement
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- vomiting blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking desvenlafaxine:
Symptoms of overdose
- Agitation
- bloating
- dark urine
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- irregular heartbeat recurrent
- light-colored stools
- muscle cramp or stiffness
- nausea
- overactive reflexes
- poor coordination
- restlessness
- seizures
- sensation of spinning
- shivering
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Desvenlafaxine
Some side effects of desvenlafaxine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Decreased appetite
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- trouble sleeping
Less common
- Change in taste
- decreased weight
- difficult urination
- jitteriness
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of taste
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to desvenlafaxine: oral tablet extended release.
General
The most commonly reported side effects were nausea, dry mouth, hyperhidrosis, and dizziness.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very Common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 36%), dry mouth (up to 25%), constipation (up to 14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute pancreatitis
Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal bleeding[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very Common (10% or more): Hyperhidrosis (up to 21%)
Common (1% to 10%): Rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Photosensitivity reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme, severe cutaneous reactions, toxic epidermal necrolysis[Ref]
Nervous system
Very Common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 16%), somnolence (up to 12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, headache, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyskinesia, extrapyramidal disorder, syncope
Rare (less than 0.1%): Convulsion, dystonia, serotonin syndrome
Frequency not reported: Seizure[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, abnormal orgasm, anorgasmia, anxiety, decreased libido, irritability, nervousness, withdrawal syndrome
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depersonalization, hypomania
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hallucination, mania
Frequency not reported: Bruxism, discontinuation syndrome, suicidal thoughts[Ref]
Genitourinary
Very Common (10% or more): Erectile dysfunction (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Delayed ejaculation, ejaculation disorder, ejaculation failure, proteinuria, sexual dysfunction, urinary hesitation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention[Ref]
Other
Very Common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, chills, feeling jittery, tinnitus[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, decreased weight, elevated fasting triglycerides, elevated LDL cholesterol, elevated total cholesterol, increased blood cholesterol, increased weight
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood triglycerides
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyponatremia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Ischemic cardiac adverse reactions, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and/or coronary occlusion requiring revascularization usually occurred in patients who had multiple underlying cardiac risk factors.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Blood pressure increased, hot flush, increased sustained hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral coldness
Frequency not reported: Coronary occlusion requiring revascularization, ischemic cardiac adverse reactions, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, mydriasis
Frequency not reported: Angle closure glaucoma[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Yawning
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis
Frequency not reported: Interstitial lung disease, eosinophilic pneumonia[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal liver function test[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal stiffness[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema[Ref]
Endocrine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood prolactin[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Abnormal bleeding[Ref]