aripiprazole vs desvenlafaxine

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Side-by-side comparison of aripiprazole and desvenlafaxine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Examples desipramine, atomoxetine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine 7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with PRISTIQ Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment is required for drugs that are mainly metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., midazolam), or for drugs that are metabolized by both CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 (e.g., tamoxifen, aripiprazole), when administered concomitantly with PRISTIQ [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

Drug Class
aripiprazole Atypical Antipsychotic
desvenlafaxine Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI)
Type
aripiprazole Prescription
desvenlafaxine Prescription
Summary
aripiprazole

Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems. It can help to improve your mood, thinking, and behavior.

desvenlafaxine

Pristiq is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

What It Treats
aripiprazole

Aripiprazole is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teens. It also treats irritability in children with autism. Additionally, it can treat Tourette's disorder.

desvenlafaxine

Pristiq is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. MDD can cause you to feel sad, lose interest in activities, and have trouble with daily life. This medicine can help improve your mood and energy levels.

How It Works
aripiprazole

Aripiprazole works by affecting the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, like dopamine and serotonin, can affect mood and behavior. By balancing these chemicals, aripiprazole helps to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions.

desvenlafaxine

Pristiq works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain. It increases the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. These chemicals help regulate mood and can improve symptoms of depression.

Common Side Effects
aripiprazole
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
desvenlafaxine
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased sweating
  • Constipation
FAERS Reports
aripiprazole
  • Weight Increased 7,698
  • Anxiety 4,993
  • Fatigue 4,188
  • Suicidal Ideation 3,991
  • Depression 3,950
desvenlafaxine
  • Toxicity To Various Agents 233
  • Nausea 206
  • Completed Suicide 186
  • Anxiety 180
  • Overdose 174
Serious Warnings
aripiprazole

Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in elderly patients who have psychosis related to dementia. It is not approved for this use. Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening mood or suicidal thoughts.

desvenlafaxine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. If you are started on Pristiq, your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes.

Pregnancy
aripiprazole

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Aripiprazole may cause withdrawal symptoms or other problems in newborns if taken during the third trimester. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take aripiprazole during pregnancy.

desvenlafaxine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking Pristiq late in pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. You can register by calling 1-844-405-6185.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aripiprazole vs desvenlafaxine Comparison

aripiprazole is classified in the Atypical Antipsychotic drug class, while desvenlafaxine sits within the Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aripiprazole has 24,820 submissions while desvenlafaxine has 979. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to desvenlafaxine does not change how the body processes aripiprazole through the liver.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for aripiprazole or desvenlafaxine.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.