Reasons to prefer desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®) over venlafaxine (Effexor XR®)

Desvenlafaxine, which is short for desmethylvenlafaxine, is the active metabolite of venlafaxine. Both venlafaxine (brand name Effexor XR®) and desvenlafaxine (brand name Pristiq®) are available in the US for the treatment of major depressive disorder. How are these two antidepressants different from each other? And, which one should we preferentially prescribe? Cost Until desvenlafaxine went…