Newven (Desvenlafaxine 50mg)

Newven general information

What is Newven used for?

Newven tablets 50mg are used to treat major depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Newven tablets 50mg are also used to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including, social anxiety disorder (Social Phobia), panic disorder (panic attacks) and generalised anxiety disorder.  Newven tablets 50mg help manage the emotional and physical symptoms of depression to help improve ability to function at work, in family and social life and in leisure activities.

How does Newven work?

Newven tablets 50mg contain desvenlafaxine which is the active metabolite of venlafaxine, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), but is structurally and chemically different to other antidepressants.  Desvenlafaxine in Newven tablets 50mg acts in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance caused by a lack of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin, which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Desvenlafaxine is a potent inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline, and also weakly inhibits dopamine reuptake, which means that it blocks the re-uptake of serotonin and noradrenaline from the synapse (the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another).  If the re-uptake of serotonin and noradrenaline by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more neurotransmitter remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer.  The action of Newven tablets 50mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.  Newven tablets 50mg are formulated so that desvenlafaxine is released slowly into the digestive system for extended-release of the medication, to allow for a single dose per day.

What does Newven contain?

Newven tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient desvenlafaxine, an antidepressant belonging to the Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) that are used to treat depression and other mood disorders. 

Treating depression with Newven

Newven tablets 50mg contain desvenlafaxine which is the active metabolite of venlafaxine, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).  Newven tablets 50mg are used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  One of the major causes of depression is thought to be an imbalance of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals that allows nerve cells to communicate), particularly a lack of serotonin that controls mood.  Desvenlafaxine in Newven tablets 50mg works by specifically blocking the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more neurotransmitter remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression. 

What are the side effects of Newven?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Newven tablets 50mg include: decreased or loss of appetite, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, constipation, sleeplessness, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, vasodilation (hot flashes), hypertension (increase in blood pressure), sexual problems.

When should Newven not be used?

You should not use Newven tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to desvenlafaxine or any ingredients in Newven
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• have a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease
• are taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications (such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine) as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Newven or within 14 days
• are taking medicines that interact with Newven monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, other antidepressants, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), sumatriptan for migraine, the antipsychotic pimozide, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort, bupropion, for nicotine dependence, the antifungal ketoconazole, the antibiotic erythromycin, clozapine for schizophrenia
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Newven

What medications interact with Newven?

Several medications interact with Newven tablets 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Newven or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:  

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Newven: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine and tranylcypromine for depression, medication that affects blood clotting like warfarin
• Drugs that affect Newven: the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), sumatriptan for migraine, St John's wort, a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, antifungal ketoconazole, the antibiotic erythromycin
• Drugs that are affected by Newven: the antidepressants lithium and Imipramine, clozapine for schizophrenia, the anticoagulant warfarin

How should Newven be taken?

You should take your Newven tablets 50mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food once a day, at the same time each day.  Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.  You should continue take your Newven tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations, usually for several weeks or months and you should continue your medication even if you feel well. 

How long should you take Newven?

You should continue take your Newven tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations, usually for several weeks or months and you should continue your medication even if you feel well.

Missed dose of Newven

If you miss a dose of Newven tablets 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Newven be stored?

You should store your Newven tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.