Achieving remission from depression with venlafaxine and venlafaxine extended release: a literature review of comparative studies with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate data supporting the ability of venlafaxine, an antidepressant with a dual mechanism of action, to produce remission from depression.


METHODS
Review of multicentre, double-blind, randomized studies comparing venlafaxine or venlafaxine extended release (XR) with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total scores in the range of < or = 7 and < 10 as the final outcome measure, to evaluate the ability of venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR to produce full remission from depression.


RESULTS
Venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR demonstrated higher rates of remission than did the SSRIs and placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
With full remission rather than response as the measure of outcome, venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR demonstrated more robust antidepressant efficacy than the SSRIs and placebo. This finding suggests that venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR are appropriate standard-of-care therapies for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.
Rudolph
R L
RL
Clinical and Medical Affairs, Cyberonics, Houston, TX 77058, USA. richard.rudolph@cyberonics.com
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010919:Placebos; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010919:Placebos; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride