Desvenlafaxine is an SNRI primarily used for which condition?

• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Social anxiety disorder
• C. Major depression
• D. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Answer: (C)

Desvenlafaxine is an SNRI that increases both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, helping improve mood and energy in depressive states. It is marketed and most strongly supported by evidence for major depressive disorder, making that the primary approved use. It’s also the active metabolite of venlafaxine, sharing the same general mechanism, but for anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety or social anxiety, and for PTSD, other agents—often different SNRIs or SSRIs with established first-line data for those conditions—are usually preferred. So the strongest, most consistent indication for desvenlafaxine is major depressive disorder.