Desvenlafaxine is a dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor in vitro and in vivo that demonstrates good brain-to-plasma ratios. Desvenlafaxine has demonstrated antidepressant effects in preclinical studies. Pfizer is developing an oral, extended-release formulation of desvenlafaxine for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Desvenlafaxine has been registered and is available on the market for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

N,O-Didesmethylvenlafaxine is a metabolite of venlafaxine, an antidepressant of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. In humans, venlafaxine is biotransformed for the most part by CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 isoenzymes to its major metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine, and in parallel to N-desmethylvenlafaxine and N,O-didesmethylvenlafaxine. It was shown, that CYP2D6 genotype influenced the O-demethylation whereas CYP2C19 influenced the N-demethylation of venlafaxine and its metabolites.

Desvenlafaxine is a dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor in vitro and in vivo that demonstrates good brain-to-plasma ratios. Desvenlafaxine has demonstrated antidepressant effects in preclinical studies. Pfizer is developing an oral, extended-release formulation of desvenlafaxine for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Desvenlafaxine has been registered and is available on the market for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.