Does desvenlafaxine keep you awake? (+3 management)
By
Ivan Kahwa
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
In this article, we will discuss the effects of desvenlafaxine on sleep. We will look at the factors that impact desvenlafaxine in keeping the patient active and awake. We will dig deep into the impact of desvenlafaxine on the sleep cycle. Furthermore, we will look at the ways to avoid sleep disturbances caused by devenlafaxine.
Does desvenlafaxine keep you awake?
Desvenlafaxine may keep you awake. Sleep disturbances are commonly associated with the use of antidepressants. Antidepressants such as desvenlafaxine are administered to activate the brain but it may disrupt sleep in the long term.
Desvenlafaxine is an SNRI antidepressant which increases the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters in the brain (1).
Antidepressants are linked with causing insomnia and somnolence at different rates based on the mechanism of action that they possess. Different patients are affected by sleep problems due to antidepressants varyingly based on the medication and their body’s response to the drug.
However, sleep-related side effects with desvenlafaxine may include both insomnia and sedation. The frequency of sleep disturbances linked with devenlfaxine is lesser than other antidepressants.
How does desvenlafaxine keep you awake?
Desvenlafaxine can keep you awake based on its mechanism of action. Since it belongs to the SNRI antidepressant drug class, it increases the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine by blocking the reuptake of these neurotransmitters in the brain (2).
This increase in serotonin and norepinephrine causes an increased serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the brain which possesses a reverse relationship with the sleep cycle leading to an increased risk of insomnia (2).
What does research suggest?
Based on the research studies, sleep disturbances are common with antidepressants. Some patients taking antidepressants may suffer from sleep reduction or insomnia while others may suffer from increased and enhanced sleeping patterns (2).
For this purpose, a study was conducted to analyze the effects of antidepressants on sleep patterns in major depressive patients. However, 14 drugs from different antidepressant classes were used in the study (2).
Upon conducting the research and testing these drugs, it was analyzed that 10 antidepressants showed higher rates of insomnia than the placebo. Among those drugs highest levels of insomnia were associated with desvenlafaxine and bupropion (2).
However, these results were completely based on the mechanism of action of these drugs. Some of these drugs were more prone to cause insomnia while others were associated with somnolence based on their mechanisms (2).
How to manage sleep disturbances due to desvenlafaxine?
If desvenlafaxine is keeping you awake or causing extra sleepiness, then you need to consult your healthcare provider to seek medical help.
The initial course of treatment with desvenlafaxine may cause sleep disturbances. You should give your body some time to adjust and accept the medication. However, if the sleep disturbances persist after long use of desvenlafaxine, then seek medical help.
One way to avoid sleep disturbances would be to change the timing of your medication. You can discuss this with your doctor and they may suggest the best time to take desvenlafaxine either at night or in the morning based on your symptoms.
If the problem still persists, then your doctor may tamper or reduce the medication dose as it also helps in alleviating the side effects. Another option would be to switch your antidepressant medication to a safer drug which does not cause sleep issues.
In conclusion, I would suggest you stick to your doctor’s prescription. Antidepressants usually take time to exert their actions and your body also needs time to adjust to the medication. Sleep disturbances whether keeping you awake or causing sleepiness are usually associated with antidepressant use.
As a pharmacist, I would suggest you always consult with your doctor for any side effects due to the medication and do not stop taking desvenlafaxine without consulting your doctor first.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Naseeruddin R, Rosani A, Marwaha R. Desvenlafaxine. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534829/
2.-
Alberti S, Chiesa A, Andrisano C, Serretti A. Insomnia and somnolence associated with second-generation antidepressants during the treatment of major depression: a meta-analysis. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2015 Jun;35(3):296-303. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000000329. PMID: 25874915. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25874915/
Find a supportive therapist who can help with Depression.
Discover the convenience of BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connecting you with licensed and accredited therapists specialized in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Complete the assessment and find your ideal therapist within just 48 hours.
AskYourPharm is user-supported. We may earn a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp’s services after clicking through from this site
