Emergence of adverse events following discontinuation of treatment with extended-release venlafaxine.
OBJECTIVE
The rate of adverse events following discontinuation of treatment with extended-release venlafaxine was compared with the rate associated with discontinuation of placebo administration.


METHODS
The subjects were 20 outpatients with major depressive disorder who had participated in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of the new extended-release formulation of venlafaxine.


RESULTS
During the 3 days after discontinuation of treatment with the study drug, seven (78%) of the nine venlafaxine-treated subjects and two (22%) of the nine placebo-treated patients reported the emergence of adverse events, a statistically significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that clinicians discontinuing venlafaxine treatment should consider tapering the medication dose gradually.
Fava
M
M
Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. favam@A1.mgh.harvard.edu
Mulroy
R
R
Alpert
J
J
Nierenberg
A A
AA
Rosenbaum
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride