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Venlafaxine: a structurally unique and novel antidepressant
W A Morton1, S C Sonne, M A Verga
1Department of Hospital Pharmacy Practice and Administration, University of South Carolina Institute of Psychiatry, Charleston, USA.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Venlafaxine is a new antidepressant effective for depression, blocking norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake. Further comparative trials are needed to determine its optimal clinical role.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Psychiatry
Background:
- Venlafaxine hydrochloride is a novel antidepressant recently approved in the US.
- It functions by blocking the neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the new antidepressant venlafaxine.
- Review pharmacokinetic data, clinical trials, adverse reactions, and drug interactions.
- Compare venlafaxine with other available antidepressants.
Main Methods:
- MEDLINE search for pertinent literature, including reviews.
- Review of all available clinical trials prior to publication.
- Exclusion of preliminary trials and unpublished reports.
Main Results:
- Venlafaxine and its metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine exhibit linear kinetics with half-lives of 5 and 11 hours.
- Seven clinical trials demonstrated venlafaxine's efficacy in treating depression.
- Common adverse effects include dry mouth, somnolence, elevated blood pressure, nausea, headache, and dizziness.
Conclusions:
- Few clinical trials exist to guide practitioners on venlafaxine's place in depression treatment.
- Comparative trials against serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are lacking.
- The definitive clinical role of venlafaxine in depression management remains to be established.