[Effects of venlafaxine extended release formulation on the clinical management of patients]

One of the issues related with antidepressant drug use is to improve patient compliance. Investigations have searched for simplified administration schedules that focus on having a significant impact on the management of depressive patients. This article has reviewed the extended release formulation characteristics and its effect on the drug pharmacokinetics and clinical assessments of depressive patients. The conclusion of this review is that venlafaxine extended release formulation represents an innovation in the treatment of depression. This formulation provides the same total exposure to venlafaxine with a once-daily dose as the immediate release formulation with several doses, slower gastrointestinal release and smaller fluctuations between maximum and minimal plasma concentrations. These differential characteristics result in a potential improved efficacy and a better tolerability profile. The increased compliance observed with venlafaxine extended release formulation could improve the appropriate management of depressive patients.