Desvenlafaxine for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic and debilitating condition often characterized by inadequate treatment. Notwithstanding the availability of more than a dozen first-line agents across disparate classes (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), the majority of individuals with MDD do not achieve and sustain a recovered state. A substantial percentage of MDD patients require a treatment change due to poor efficacy or tolerability.

AREAS COVERED:

This review focuses on recent (≤ 5 years) literature describing the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability of desvenlafaxine , one of the more recently approved antidepressant drugs. Published papers identified via PubMed search and congress presentations were included. Results from short-term, placebo-controlled, MDD trials and randomized withdrawal trials, as well as post hoc analyses in patient subgroups, are reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION:

Desvenlafaxine has been shown to be an effective antidepressant with a favorable safety and tolerability profile in the general MDD population and in important patient subgroups. It has several notable differences from other serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and those differences suggest populations in which it may have the most clinical benefit.

• Authors: Susan G Kornstein, Roger S McIntyre, Michael E Thase, Matthieu Boucher
• Journal: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy (Expert Opin Pharmacother) Vol. 15 Issue 10 Pg. 1449-63 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1744-7666 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24914479 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Cyclohexanols
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Desvenlafaxine Succinate

Topics

• Antidepressive Agents (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Cyclohexanols (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Desvenlafaxine Succinate
• Drug Interactions
• Humans
• Secondary Prevention
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)