title: Use of venlafaxine in psychiatric disorders and climacteric syndrome: is a therapeutic bridge?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the efficacy of the double-action mechanism of venlafaxine for depression and climacteric symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 20 postmenopausal women (age range 40-60 years) with diagnosis of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and climacteric symptoms was enrolled. All participants received venlafaxine (75 mg/day) for 2 months. Clinical checkup and evaluation test were repeated every 2 weeks for 2 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before treatment, the mean scores for the clinical evaluation scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) were 13.9 and 18.7, respectively (mild-moderate severity). The general level of psychopathology was not particularly high (Symptomatology Checklist-90, mean total 103), the most common psychopathological dimensions were depression and somatization. The sample suffered from mild climacteric syndrome (Kupperman Index Score, mean = 19.1). Clinical improvement was visible after 2 weeks of treatment and continued until the last checkup, 2 months after the start of treatment (final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores: 5.1 and 6.3, respectively). Kupperman Index Scores at the end of the treatment period demonstrated complete resolution of the climacteric syndrome (mean score = 6.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Venlafaxine is efficacy in treating both psychiatric disorders and climacteric symptomatology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. luisi@unisi.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castrogiovanni
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciani
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pacchierotti
authors.forename: Alberto De
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Capua
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pasquini
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lazzeri
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058492:Drug Repositioning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012107:Research Design; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride