Jp. Feighner et al., EFFICACY OF ONCE-DAILY VENLAFAXINE EXTENDED-RELEASE (XR) FOR SYMPTOMSOF ANXIETY IN DEPRESSED OUTPATIENTS, Journal of affective disorders, 47(1-3), 1998, pp. 55-62
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.