Achieving remission from depression with venlafaxine and venlafaxine extended release: a literature review of comparative studies with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate data supporting the ability of venlafaxine, an antidepressant with a dual mechanism of action, to produce remission from depression.

Method: Review of multicentre, double-blind, randomized studies comparing venlafaxine or venlafaxine extended release (XR) with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total scores in the range of < or = 7 and < 10 as the final outcome measure, to evaluate the ability of venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR to produce full remission from depression.

Results: Venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR demonstrated higher rates of remission than did the SSRIs and placebo.

Conclusion: With full remission rather than response as the measure of outcome, venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR demonstrated more robust antidepressant efficacy than the SSRIs and placebo. This finding suggests that venlafaxine/venlafaxine XR are appropriate standard-of-care therapies for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.