Efficacy of venlafaxine for the long term treatment of chronic pain with associated major depressive disorder.
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.
Bradley
Ronald H
RH
Total Health Care of Michigan, P.C., East Lansing, MI 48823, USA. rhbradley@msn.com
Barkin
Robert L
RL
Jerome
John
J
DeYoung
Kevin
K
Dodge
Charles William
CW
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
D000700:Analgesics; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride