title: Efficacy of venlafaxine for the long term treatment of chronic pain with associated major depressive disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This was an open-label, single-center study of the long-term efficacy and effectiveness of venlafaxine extended release (XR) in the treatment of chronic pain and depression in outpatients. All patients have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) of various types, with or without chronic pain, and had previously failed treatment with either tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Efficacy of treatment was determined using the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-21), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the evaluation of pain, and a 12-item quality of life scale (QOL). Patients were treated in an unblended open trial for 1 year with 150 mg or more of venlafaxine XR once daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 year of treatment, 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Visual Analogue Scale, and quality of life scores were significantly improved from permanent baseline scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data show long-term efficacy and effectiveness of venlafaxine XR, a serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) reuptake inhibitor antidepressant agent, having analgesic properties.
authors.affiliation: Total Health Care of Michigan, P.C., East Lansing, MI 48823, USA. rhbradley@msn.com
authors.forename: Ronald H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Barkin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jerome
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DeYoung
authors.forename: Charles William
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Dodge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride