Venlafaxine XR Therapy for Major Depression and Anxiety Disorders

An evolution in antidepressant development in recent decades has resulted in agents with selective mechanisms of action. Although agents with a single selective mechanism of action were initially thought to have advantages over other antidepressants, investigators now recognize that combined-action antidepressants, such as venlafaxine and clomipramine, may offer additional advantages in terms of increased efficacy and improved tolerability. In fact, a growing body of clinical evidence suggests that compared with the single-action selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, both venlafaxine and once-daily venlafaxine extended release (venlafaxine XR) have shown an enhanced efficacy that extends over the entire spectrum of major depression and anxiety disorders, an earlier onset of action, less tendency to cause weight gain, and a low risk for potentially serious drug-drug interactions with many commonly used medications. These advantages make venlafaxine XR an important option for the treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders.