Long-term treatment of geropsychiatric depressed patients with venlafaxine.
Twenty-eight psychiatric patients older than 65 years with major depression with high probability of recurrence were enrolled in a 24-month open label clinical trial aimed at evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of venlafaxine. All patients completed the acute phase of the study; 21 were responders and entered the follow-up period. During the continuation phase no relapse was observed. During the maintenance period, 20% of the patients had a single new recurrence. No significant side effects were observed. The results demonstrate that venlafaxine is both effective and safe in the long-term treatment of major depression in geropsychiatric patients.
Amore
M
M
Institute of Psychiatry P. Ottonello, University of Bologna, Italy.
Ricci
M
M
Zanardi
R
R
Perez
J
J
Ferrari
G
G
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride