desvenlafaxine vs duloxetine
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of desvenlafaxine and duloxetine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Pristiq
Cymbalta
Pristiq is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Duloxetine is a medicine that can help treat depression and anxiety. It can also help with certain types of pain.
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.
Duloxetine can treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults and children (7 years and older). It can also treat diabetic nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic muscle or bone pain in adults. In children, it can treat fibromyalgia (13 years and older).
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.
Duloxetine is a type of drug called an SNRI. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. These chemicals can help improve mood and reduce pain.
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Feeling dizzy
- • Trouble sleeping
- • Increased sweating
- • Constipation
- • Nausea
- • Dry mouth
- • Sleepiness
- • Constipation
- • Decreased appetite
- Toxicity To Various Agents 233
- Nausea 206
- Completed Suicide 186
- Anxiety 180
- Overdose 174
- Fatigue 4,787
- Nausea 4,782
- Pain 3,697
- Headache 3,654
- Diarrhoea 3,262
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.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior.
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.
Using duloxetine in the last month of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking duloxetine during pregnancy. Women who stop taking antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to experience a relapse of depression.
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How to Read This desvenlafaxine vs duloxetine Comparison
desvenlafaxine is classified in the Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) drug class, while duloxetine sits within the Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, desvenlafaxine has 979 submissions while duloxetine has 20,182. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. 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 desvenlafaxine or duloxetine.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.