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Venlafaxine extended-release capsules in panic disorder

Flexible-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

ANTTI AHOKAS, MD

Lääkärikeskus Mehiläinen, Helsinki, Finland

DAN J. STEIN, MD, PhD

University of Stellenbosch, CapeTown, South Africa

ELISEO SALINAS, MD and GERARD EMILIEN, PhD

Wyeth Research, Paris, France

TIMOTHY WHITAKER, MD

Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA

Correspondence: Dr Jacques Bradwejn, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Hospital, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 7K4. Tel: +1-613-7226521, extension 6546; fax: +1-613-7982973; e-mail: jbradwej{at}rohcg.on.ca

Declaration of interest J.B. received funding for a clinical trial from Pfizer, and for consultation from GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth Research and Servier. D.J.S. received research grants and/or consultancy honoraria from AstraZeneva, Eli-Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, Orion, Pfizer, Pharmacia, Roche, Solvay and Wyeth. E.S., G.E. and T.W. are employees of Wyeth.

Background Venlafaxine extended-release (ER) has proven efficacy in the treatment of anxiety symptoms in major depression, generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Aims To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of venlafaxine ER in treating panic disorder.

Method Adult out-patients (n=361) with panic disorder were randomly assigned to receive venlafaxine ER (75–225 mg/day) or placebo for up to 10 weeks in a double-blind study.

Results Venlafaxine ER was not associated with a greater proportion of patients free from full-symptom panic attacks at the final on-therapy evaluation, but was associated with lower mean panic attack frequency and a higher proportion free from limited-symptom panic attacks, higher response and remission rates, and improvements in anticipatory anxiety, fear and avoidance. Adverse events were comparable with those of the drug in depression and anxiety disorders.

Conclusions Venlafaxine ER seems to be effective and well tolerated in the short-term treatment of panic disorder.

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