Venlafaxine extended release (ER) in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder: twenty-four-week placebo-controlled dose-ranging study.
BACKGROUND
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) has received less study than other anxiety disorders, particularly its long-term treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine extended release (ER) in patients with GAD.


METHODS
A total of 541 out-patients, 18-86 years old, were recruited to this 24-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of three fixed doses (37.5, 75 and 150 mg/day) of venlafaxine ER.


RESULTS
All doses of venlafaxine ER showed efficacy superior to placebo, apparent from week 2, that was sustained throughout the 24-week study for the two higher doses. The discontinuation rate did not differ significantly among the treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Venlafaxine ER is an effective and safe treatment for GAD for up to 6 months.
Allgulander
C
C
Neurotec/Psychiatry, Huddinge University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden.
Hackett
D
D
Salinas
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride