EFFICACY OF VENLAFAXINE IN DEPRESSIVE-ILLNESS IN GENERAL-PRACTICE

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 229 patients with a Resear ch Diagnostic Criteria diagnosis of major, minor or intermittent depre ssion was used to compare the clinical profiles of venlafaxine and imi pramine in general practice. Venlafaxine produced a significant improv ement compared to placebo in symptoms of depression and anxiety as rat ed by the total MADRS and percentage of responders, the CGI improvemen t, the CGI severity of illness, the BSA psychic anxiety item and the H SCL. On a number of these measures, venlafaxine was also significantly more effective than imipramine. Venlafaxine was significantly superio r to both imipramine and placebo for the SARS total score and the item s 'social/leisure' and 'extended family.' A similar proportion of pati ents discontinued treatment in each group, but fewer patients on venla faxine discontinued treatment because of an unsatisfactory response.