Venlafaxine extended-release capsules in panic disorder: flexible-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Venlafaxine extended-release (ER) has proven efficacy in the treatment of anxiety symptoms in major depression, generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.

AIMS:

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of venlafaxine ER in treating panic disorder.

METHOD:

Adult out-patients (n=361) with panic disorder were randomly assigned to receive venlafaxine ER (75-225 mg/day) or placebo for up to 10 weeks in a double-blind study.

RESULTS:

Venlafaxine ER was not associated with a greater proportion of patients free from full-symptom panic attacks at the final on-therapy evaluation, but was associated with lower mean panic attack frequency and a higher proportion free from limited-symptom panic attacks, higher response and remission rates, and improvements in anticipatory anxiety, fear and avoidance. Adverse events were comparable with those of the drug in depression and anxiety disorders.

CONCLUSIONS:

Venlafaxine ER seems to be effective and well tolerated in the short-term treatment of panic disorder.

• Authors: Jacques Bradwejn, Antti Ahokas, Dan J Stein, Eliseo Salinas, Gerard Emilien, Timothy Whitaker
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 187 Pg. 352-9 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 16199795 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Capsules
• Cyclohexanols
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Anxiety (drug therapy)
• Capsules
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Cyclohexanols (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Delayed-Action Preparations (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Electrocardiography (methods)
• Fear (drug effects)
• Female
• Heart Rate (physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Panic Disorder (blood, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Patient Compliance
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride