Dosage for Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

The recommended target dosage for VELAZOVER is 20 mg to 40 mg orally once daily with food [see Clinical Pharmacology]. To achieve the target dosage, titrate VELAZOVER as follows:

Start with an initial dosage of 10 mg once daily with food for 7 days,

Then increase to 20 mg once daily with food.

The dose may be increased up to 40 mg once daily with food after a minimum of 7 days between dosage increases.

If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as the patient remembers. If it is almost time for the next dose, the patient should skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Two doses should not be taken at the same time.

Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting VELAZOVER

Prior to initiating treatment with VELAZOVER or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania.

Switching to or from a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Antidepressant

At least 14 days must elapse between discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant and initiation of VELAZOVER. In addition, at least 14 days must elapse after stopping VELAZOVER before starting an MAOI antidepressant.

Dosage Adjustments with CYP3A4 Inhibitors or Inducers

Patients receiving concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors:

During concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin, voriconazole), the VELAZOVER dose should not exceed 20 mg once daily. The original VELAZOVER dose level, can be resumed when the CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued.

Patients receiving concomitant CYP3A4 inducers:

Based on clinical response, consider increasing the dosage of VELAZOVER by 2-fold, up to a maximum 80 mg once daily, over 1 to 2 weeks in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin) for greater than 14 days. If CYP3A4 inducers are discontinued, gradually reduce the VELAZOVER dosage to its original level over 1 to 2 weeks.