Is desvenlafaxine an anticholinergic drug? (+5 effects)
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 whether desvenlafaxine is an anticholinergic drug or not. We will further look at the common anticholinergic effects. We will look at the ways to get rid of the anticholinergic effects caused by desvenlafaxine.
Is desvenlafaxine an anticholinergic drug?
Desvenlafaxine is not an anticholinergic drug. However, it may have some mild anticholinergic properties and cause a few anticholinergic side effects but responses may vary in patients.
Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous system thus, exerting anticholinergic properties and side effects.
Desvenlafaxine is an SNRI antidepressant that primarily affects the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine but is not specifically included in anticholinergic medications as it does not directly affect acetylcholine.
How does desvenlafaxine cause anticholinergic effects?
Desvenlafaxine exerts anticholinergic effects based on its mechanism of action. It is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant that blocks the reuptake of these neurotransmitters causing an increase in levels and activity of both serotonin and norepinephrine (1).
Norepinephrine and acetylcholine have opposing actions and effects on the human body. Since desvenlafaxine blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft, it causes an increase in the levels and activity of norepinephrine stimulating anticholinergic activity (1).
However, this blockade leads to the anticholinergic effects of desvenlafaxine. Some other antidepressants such as milnacipran, duloxetine, paroxetine, and reboxetine, also cause an uprise in noradrenergic activity leading to anticholinergic effects (1).
What are the common anticholinergic effects linked with desvenlafaxine?
Some of the common anticholinergic effects caused by desvenlafaxine are (2,3):
- Dry mouth- This is a common anticholinergic side effect. Patients may experience dryness in their mouth and difficulty swallowing.
- Blurred vision- Anticholinergic effects of desvenlafaxine also impact eyesight and vision. The patients may suffer from blurry vision and difficulty in focusing.
- Constipation- Another common anticholinergic side effect of desvenlafaxine is constipation as it affects the motility of the gastrointestinal system.
- Urinary retention- Anticholinergic effects of desvenlafaxine may also affect the urinary system in patients and cause difficulty while urinating.
- Drowsiness- It is yet another common anticholinergic side effect of desvenlafaxine due to its impact on the central nervous system. It may cause drowsiness and sleepiness in patients.
However, these are some common anticholinergic side effects caused by desvenlafaxine. Some patients might experience these effects while others may not. If you face these side effects, then you should consult your doctor and seek medical help.
What are some common anticholinergic medications?
Some medications that cause anticholinergic effects are as follows (3):
- Ipratropium and tiotropium- These are FDA-approved medications for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Benztropine and trihexyphenidyl- These medications are used in Parkinson’s disease to counter-reduce dopamine levels in patients.
- Oxybutynin and tolterodine- These are FDA-approved medications for detrusor hyperactivity and to control incontinence urges.
- Atropine- It is used as a cholinergic antidote and in the emergency treatment of slow heart beating.
- Scopolamine- It is a prophylactic medication to control post-operative nausea and vomiting. It is also the most effective medication for motion sickness.
Above are a few medications mentioned that are associated with causing anticholinergic side effects. You may always consult your doctor before taking these medications.
What to do if desvenlafaxine causes anticholinergic effects?
If desvenlafaxine is causing anticholinergic effects, then you should immediately seek medical help. However, your doctor must do a thorough checkup and may lower your medication dosage because sometimes lowering the dose might reduce the side effects.
If the side effects persist, then they may shift you to another safe and well-tolerated antidepressant which is less likely to cause anticholinergic effects and suits you best to alleviate your symptoms.
However, do not abruptly stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. In case of severe side effects, consult your doctor for guidance and supervision.
In conclusion, I would add that desvenlafaxine does not cause severe anticholinergic effects but if you face severe side effects then you should always seek your doctor’s help instead of starting, switching, or stopping the medication on your own as it may lead to serious complications.
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References
1.-
Andrade C. Desvenlafaxine. Indian J Psychiatry. 2009 Oct-Dec;51(4):320-3. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.58303. PMID: 20048462; PMCID: PMC2802384. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2802384/
2.-
Ghossein N, Kang M, Lakhkar AD. Anticholinergic Medications. [Updated 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555893/
3.-
AHFS Patient Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.; c2019. Desvenlafaxine; [updated 2020 Jun 24; reviewed 2018 Jul 5; cited 2020 Jul 1]; [about 5 p.]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608022.html
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