Effexor (Venlafaxine Hydrochloride) - Summary

EFFEXOR SUMMARY

Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is a structurally novel antidepressant for oral administration.

Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

The efficacy of Effexor in the treatment of major depressive disorder was established in 6-week controlled trials of adult outpatients whose diagnoses corresponded most closely to the DSM-III or DSM-III-R category of major depression and in a 4-week controlled trial of inpatients meeting diagnostic criteria for major depression with melancholia (see CLINICAL TRIALS).

A major depressive episode implies a prominent and relatively persistent depressed or dysphoric mood that usually interferes with daily functioning (nearly every day for at least 2 weeks); it should include at least 4 of the following 8 symptoms: change in appetite, change in sleep, psychomotor agitation or retardation, loss of interest in usual activities or decrease in sexual drive, increased fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, slowed thinking or impaired concentration, and a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation.

The efficacy of Effexor XR in maintaining an antidepressant response for up to 26 weeks following 8 weeks of acute treatment was demonstrated in a placebo-controlled trial. The efficacy of Effexor in maintaining an antidepressant response in patients with recurrent depression who had responded and continued to be improved during an initial 26 weeks of treatment and were then followed for a period of up to 52 weeks was demonstrated in a second placebo-controlled trial (see CLINICAL TRIALS). Nevertheless, the physician who elects to use Effexor/Effexor XR for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

See all Effexor indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Effexor (Venlafaxine)

Benefits from antidepressants: synthesis of 6-week patient-level outcomes from double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trials of fluoxetine and venlafaxine. [2012]
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first research synthesis in this area

Efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine versus specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment of major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of published studies. [2012]
Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered as first-line treatment in major depressive disorder (MDD)... Findings of this meta-analysis that included only published studies were similar to those from meta-analysis that included unpublished data.

Management of hot flashes in patients who have breast cancer with venlafaxine and clonidine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2011.10.10]
PURPOSE: Therapies for breast cancer may induce hot flashes that can affect quality of life. We undertook a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with the primary objective of comparing the average daily hot flash scores in the twelfth week among patients treated with venlafaxine, clonidine, and placebo. Additional analyses of the hot flash score over the full 12 weeks of treatment were performed... CONCLUSION: Venlafaxine and clonidine are effective treatments in the management of hot flashes in patients with breast cancer. Venlafaxine resulted in a more immediate reduction of hot flash scores when compared with clonidine; however, hot flash scores at week 12 were lower in the clonidine group than in the venlafaxine group.

What can we learn from Chinese randomized controlled trials? A systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese venlafaxine studies. [2011.04]
This systematic review evaluated Chinese trials examining the efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of depression. Chinese databases CNKI and VIP and western databases were searched for blinded randomized controlled trial publications comparing venlafaxine to other antidepressants or placebo (in English or Chinese)...

Different effects of mirtazapine and venlafaxine on brain activation: an open randomized controlled fMRI study. [2011.04]
CONCLUSIONS: These fMRI results indicate that antidepressants with different mechanisms of action have different effects on brain function. It therefore seems that fMRI can be used for therapy evaluation and response prediction and can facilitate the development of new pharmaceuticals. (c) Copyright 2011 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Effexor (Venlafaxine)

Study Evaluating Effexor® (Venlafaxine) in Achieving Response and Maintaining Remission [Completed]

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Compared or Associated With Venlafaxine for Depressive Disorder [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to treat participants with a diagnosis of depressive disorder to assess the efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and venlafaxine in the treatment of depressive disorders compared venlafaxine only (the optimal medication) and to rTMS only. fMRI will be performed to determine if treatment response is related to changes in fMRI, and use it to investigate the respondence to the treatments.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Venlafaxine in Depression [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of add-on therapy with repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and venlafaxine in the treatment of major depressive disorders compared to venlafaxine only (the optimal medication) and to rTMS only.

Comparative Efficacy of Low-Dose Estradiol and Venlafaxine XR for Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms [Recruiting]
The primary objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of both low-dose oral (by mouth) 17-ß-estradiol and the non-hormonal drug venlafaxine XR compared to placebo in reducing hot flashes. Included in this objective is the intention to compare venlafaxine XR to estradiol therapy, to provide evidence of the relative efficacy of venlafaxine to what is currently considered the most established but also a controversial therapy. 17-ß-estradiol is a type of estrogen. Venlafaxine XR is the extended release (XR) version of venlafaxine. Venlafaxine XR is an serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). A placebo is a substance containing no medication.

ADAPT: Addressing Depression and Pain Together [Recruiting]
The primary question addressed by this study is: Using a stepped care approach in primary care, what is the value of the combination of an antidepressant medication (Venlafaxine) and psychotherapy for seniors living with depression and chronic lower back pain when treatment with a low-dose of venlafaxine and supportive management (SM) has led to only a partial or non-response?

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Effexor (Venlafaxine) Side Effects

Drug Ineffective (90),  Depression (75),  Nausea (66),  Withdrawal Syndrome (66),  Headache (63),  Feeling Abnormal (60),  Malaise (58),  Dizziness (53),  Atrial Septal Defect (52),  Anxiety (51), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Effexor review by 56 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		recurrent depression
Dosage & duration:		2 75 mg twice daily taken daily for the period of ongoing
Other conditions:		adhd
Other drugs taken:		concerta
		Reported Results
Benefits:		This drug turned my severe recurrent depression around.
Side effects:		None.
Comments:		This drug changed my life. I have taken every antidepressant in the book. I received some benefit from most of them but my depression always returned and many of them had unpleasant side effects, including weight gain and constipation. This drug helped me enjoy life again. I still have occasional bouts of depression due to life cirsumstances but they are much briefer and less severe. I feel much more outgoing and enjoy being around people more. I no longer want to withdraw from the world and now face the world with much more confidence. For people worried that this drug produces an "artificial" feeling of happiness--this is not the case. This is the way people are supposed to feel. you will still have a normal range of moods. I only wish this drug had existed sooner--my whole life would have been differnt.

Effexor review by 47 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		depression
Dosage & duration:		150mg daily taken 75mg twice daily for the period of 7 years
Other conditions:		IBS, chronic tiredness, joint pain
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		helped the depression initially, was far more positive during the years I took it, but the efficacy of the drug began to deteriate, and the onset of new side effects led me to try to live without the treatment
Side effects:		initially, not many, some loss of concentration when driving longer than half hour periods, eyes felt very heavy, and it felt like part of my brain had shut down, struggled not to fall to sleep. after some time, about six years, I started to get night sweats, very uncomfortable, and mood swings. I thought it might be hormaonal, but after taking away the drug , the symptoms alleviated.
Comments:		I now feel that I have suffered fibromyalgia for a long time, and part of the reason I was depressd was I found it hard to deal with the pain i was feeling at the time, I had two very young children , and was not diagnosed with a condition . If I had understood my condition better, I may have managed the fibromyalgia better. I was pushing my body too hard, as I felt frustrated t not managing everything better, and the cycle of depression continued. I have come off the venlafaxine, and the symptoms of pain, particularly in the morning have returned, but I can manage them better, knowing it is not symptomatic of a seriously damaging condition, and that it is 'normal' for me. I pace myself better, and no longer have the demands of very young children , so can do that easier. I like being 'drug' free, although I do supplement with fish oils and 5 HTP

Effexor review by 35 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		GAD
Dosage & duration:		75 mg taken daily for the period of 3 days
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		antihistamine
		Reported Results
Benefits:		This drug did work at alleviating the anxiety for which it was prescribed.
Side effects:		My God, I'm amazed that this drug is still on the market. I'm actually an MD, and was prescribed this drug for anxiety and panic attacks. I know to give a drug about a month to work, but I lasted all of 3 days on this!! Started with a 75 mg dose, immediately fell asleep for 4 hours, woke up feeling so out of it that I could barely string a sentence together, spent the next day feeling nauseous, hot, sweaty, jittery and weak. Got leg spasms that night and woke up 12 hours post-ingestion having a rebound panic attack. When morning finally arrived, I had the kind of hangover headache that you get when you're in college and have spent the night parting and binge drinking, but without any of the fun. The next day, upon advice from my psychiatrist, I dropped the dose right down to 25 mg, with no change in side effects. 3rd day I tried only 6.25 mg (quarter of a 25 mg pill), and still felt nauseous, hot, dizzy and weak...and fell asleep for two hours. This is now day 6 and I'm finally recovering from my 3 day trip to hell with Effexor. Left a 5 min message on my psychiatrist's machine - will not be taking this crap anymore!! Will not EVER be prescribing this to any of my patients.
Comments:		75 mg per day starting dose for anxiety and panic attacks.