Use of venlafaxine in other psychiatric disorders

Venlafaxine is a medication available by prescription in the U.S. both in an immediate release and an extended release formulation. Preclinical studies indicate it has the effect of potently blocking the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. Venlafaxine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Suggestive evidence, mostly from open label case series, indicates efficacy of venlafaxine in several other conditions including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, ADHD, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. The limited evidence supporting efficacy in these conditions is reviewed. Additional randomized clinical trials with placebo controls are indicated.