Efficacy of Extended-Release Venlafaxine in Nondepressed Outpatients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Venlafaxine XR is an effective and well-tolerated option for the short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in outpatients without major depressive disorder.

World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for the Pharmacological Treatment of Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders – First Revision

“…Á Venlafaxine was superior to placebo (LenoxSmith and Reynolds 2003;Nimatoudis et al 2004;Rickels et al 2000b). In comparator studies, it was more effective than placebo and as effective as pregabalin (Montgomery et al 2006b) and duloxetine (Hartford et al 2007;Nicolini et al 2008).…”

Effective Recognition and Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Primary Care

“…The severity of physical and psychosocial impairment can lead to decreased work productivity, missed days from work, and even unemployment. 10,11 Fifer et al 12 reported that 10% of patients screened in clinic waiting rooms suffered from unrecognized or untreated anxiety. These paLarry Culpepper, M.D., M.P.H., began the presentation by stating that more than 26 million people aged 15 to 54 years in the United States suffer from anxiety disorders, either alone or comorbid with at least 1 other psychiatric disorder.…”

A Review of the Diagnosis, Pharmacologic Treatment, and Economic Aspects of Anxiety Disorders

“…17,[26][27][28][29] Newer antidepressants are also used for treating anxiety disorders. Venlafaxine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with GAD, [30][31][32][33] panic disorder, 34,35 and social phobia. 36 Venlafaxine is generally well tolerated 37 and has very few drug-drug interactions.…”

“…SSRIs and venlafaxine extended release (XR) are antidepressants also effective in treating anxiety and specific anxiety disorders such as OCD (fluoxetine and paroxetine), social phobia (paroxetine), PTSD (sertraline), panic disorder (paroxetine and sertraline), and GAD (venlafaxine XR and paroxetine). [30][31][32][33][51][52][53] Patients with heart disease may be adversely affected by medications that have unwanted cardiovascular effects. Drugs that cause drowsiness or impair thinking, concentration, and balance (e.g., benzodiazepines) may be inappropriate for the elderly and anyone who has to drive a motor vehicle or maintain alertness.…”