Does Desvenlafaxine Expire? (7+ Tips)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 02/02/2024 | Next review date: 02/02/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss whether desvenlafaxine expires. Furthermore, we will talk about the risks of using expired desvenlafaxine, its adverse effects, what to do if expired desvenlafaxine has been taken, and how to store and handle medicines properly.

Does desvenlafaxine expire?

Yes, desvenlafaxine does expire. The expiry date is mentioned on each container of the medication and this is the last day of the month after which there is no assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the medication. These expiry dates are determined by the manufacturers after conducting stability studies.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strictly prohibited the use of expired medications as they may become less potent and due to physical changes after expiration, medicines are degraded and not properly absorbed in the body, hence causing adverse effects (1).

Desvenlafaxine belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) class of antidepressants. Desvenlafaxine, also known as Pristiq, is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), especially in adult patients. Desvenlafaxine may also be used to treat hot flashes in women during menopause (2).

What are the risks of using expired desvenlafaxine?

The risks associated with using expired desvenlafaxine mainly include less therapeutic benefit. The efficacy of desvenlafaxine is claimed to be at its best when it is used before its expiry date. However, if there are physical changes in the dosage form of desvenlafaxine, it may represent degradation of its constituents (3).

The use of such degraded chemicals may pose adverse effects. Desvenlafaxine is an antidepressant and it should be used cautiously. Before starting to consume desvenlafaxine, you should make sure that it has a long expiry date, as antidepressants take time to show their complete therapeutic benefits and are used for extended periods (4).

What adverse effects may desvenlafaxine cause?

Desvenlafaxine may cause the following common adverse effects:

Fatigue
Constipation
Sweating
Insomnia
Weight changes
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Vivid dreams
Sexual side effects

Desvenlafaxine may also cause rare side effects such as:

Seizures
Loss of memory
Abnormal bleeding
Coma
Irregular heartbeats
Allergic reactions (hives, rashes, swelling) (5)

If you experience any of these side effects after taking an expired desvenlafaxine, please immediately reach out to your healthcare provider.

What to do if you have taken expired desvenlafaxine?

If you have taken an expired desvenlafaxine, first of all, don’t panic. Be vigilant and look for any unusual symptoms. You may not experience side effects immediately after consuming expired desvenlafaxine, but it is not advisable to take any medicine after its expiry date.

Desvenlafaxine is available in extended-release tablets, therefore if you have accidentally taken expired desvenlafaxine, which might not be degraded as yet, you will probably not experience any adverse event. If your medicine is expired, it is necessary to discard it safely and get a new desvenlafaxine on prescription (1,6).

How to ensure proper storage and handling of desvenlafaxine?

To ensure proper storage and handling of desvenlafaxine, you should not take them out of their original packing unnecessarily. Only open the pack when you need to consume the medicine. Always keep desvenlafaxine at room temperature.

Also, prevent your medication from direct sunlight, moisture, or excess heat as the tablets may start deteriorating when they absorb moisture or are exposed to direct heat, and keep the medicines out of reach of the children.

Do not use desvenlafaxine if its original packing was damaged. Always check the expiry date before buying or taking a new medicine. If a medicine has a bad odour or decolouration, even if it has time before its expiration, you should not use it, as it may not be kept properly from where you bought it (7).

In my opinion, desvenlafaxine does expire just like other medications and the use of expired medication is strictly prohibited by the FDA due to the risks associated with it. If you accidentally consume expired desvenlafaxine, be cautious and report to the emergency of you observe any adverse effects.

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References

1.-

World Health Organization. Guidelines for the safe disposal of expired drugs [Internet] [updated 2006 May 17; cited 2023 Jun 20]. Available from: http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/pakistan/documents/pak_documents/Guidelines_for_Expired_Medicines.pdf.

2.-

Naseeruddin R, Rosani A, Marwaha R. Desvenlafaxine. 2023 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30521250. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30521250/

3.-

Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, Ponoth P. Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality. Afr Health Sci. 2019 Sep;19(3):2737-2739. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v19i3.49. PMID: 32127846; PMCID: PMC7040264. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040264/

4.-

Cartwright C, Gibson K, Read J, Cowan O, Dehar T. Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016 Jul 28;10:1401-7. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S110632. PMID: 27528803; PMCID: PMC4970636. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4970636/

5.-

Desvenlafaxine-MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [Last Revised – 01/15/2022]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608022.html

6.-

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Don’t Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Food and Drug Administration; 2021 [cited 2023 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines.

7.-

Storing your medicines-MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [Review Date 1/29/2022]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000534.htm

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Does desvenlafaxine expire? (7+ tips)