[Cost-effectiveness of venlafaxine for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Bibliographic review].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficiency of the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with venlafaxine in comparison with tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).


METHODS
A bibliographic systematic review of the published pharmacoeconomic studies in which one of the treatments was venlafaxine (immediate or extended-release) was conducted for MDD or GAD indications.


RESULTS
Nine studies for immediate-release venlafaxine and seven with extended-release in MDD were published, two with Spanish data. In the more extended Spanish model (1 year treatment), in depressive disorder, 106, 97 and 99 depression symptom free days (SFD) were achieved by venlafaxine, TCA and SSRI respectively, with annual costs of 6,791, 7,116 and 7,029 euros. Similar results were obtained in the second Spanish 6 month study. Regarding GAD, after the treatment of elderly patients during 8 weeks, 17 and 5 SFD were obtained with venlafaxine and placebo, with a cost per SFD of 22.94 and 65.40 euros, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the available studies, venlafaxine generates lower total costs (due to the reduction of treatment failure costs) than SSRI and TCA for the treatment of MDD. Venlafaxine is cost-effective in comparison with no treatment for GAD.
Baca Baldomero
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E
Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid. ebaca@mi.madritel.es
Rubio-Terrés
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C
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride