EFFICACY OF ONCE-DAILY VENLAFAXINE EXTENDED-RELEASE (XR) FOR SYMPTOMSOF ANXIETY IN DEPRESSED OUTPATIENTS

The effects of once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) 75-225 mg/ day on symptoms of anxiety in depressed outpatients were assessed in t wo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In study 1, ve nlafaxine XR was significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) more eff ective than placebo by week 4 in relieving anxiety symptoms among pati ents with moderate or greater anxiety (anxiety-psychic item score grea ter than or equal to 2) at baseline. Among patients with severe (anxie ty-psychic item score greater than or equal to 3) anxiety, venlafaxine XR was significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) more effective th an placebo beginning at week 6. In study 2, among patients with modera te or greater anxiety (score greater than or equal to 2) at baseline, a significant reduction (p less than or equal to 0.05 - less than or e qual to 0.001) in HAM-D anxiety-psychic item scores was noted with ven lafaxine XR compared with placebo from weeks 1 to 8. Among patients wi th severe anxiety (score greater than or equal to 3) at baseline, venl afaxine XR produced a significant reduction (p less than or equal to 0 .05 - less than or equal to 0.001) in the anxiety-psychic item score c ompared with placebo from weeks 1 to 8. Discontinuation for adverse ev ents occurred in 11% of patients on venlafaxine XR, and the most commo n adverse events were nausea, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence and dry mouth. These results indicate that once-daily venlafaxine XR is effect ive for the treatment of anxiety symptoms associated with major depres sion in doses ranging from 75 to 225 mg/day. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.