Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of venlafaxine XR in generalized anxiety disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common and chronic disorder with a low rate of spontaneous remission. A complication in treatment selection is the high rates of co-morbid major depressive disorder in this population. A number of treatments exist to treat GAD. The most recent medication to gain an indication for GAD is venlafaxine XR, a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is also approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder. More than 2,000 patients with GAD have been studied in outpatient trials of venlafaxine XR with demonstrated efficacy, tolerability and safety of this compound. This article reviews these studies, both short term and longer (6 month) continuation trials. The response to venlafaxine XR in this population, combined with good tolerability, makes this agent an appropriate first-line medication for GAD. In general, treatment with antidepressants, though associated with a longer onset of action than benzodiazepines, does not produce physiological dependency, and is useful in a patient population with a high prevalence of mood disorders.
Kelsey
J E
JE
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. jkels01@emory.edu
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride