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Venlafaxine XR May Prevent Panic Disorder Relapse: Presented at ADAA

By Bonnie Darves

SEATTLE, WA -- March 23, 2005 -- Venlafaxine extended release may reduce the incidence of relapse in patients with panic disorder while avoiding the treatment-limiting adverse events sometimes seen with standard formulation of the drug.

The drug, which has been efficacious in the treatment of depression and anxiety, not only reduced the incidence of panic attacks but also yielded improvements in other symptoms that affect work, social life and leisure activities.

James Ferguson, MD, medical director, Radiant Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, and colleagues conducted a 26-week double-blind, randomized, phase 2 study to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of venlafaxine XR with placebo in preventing relapse of panic disorder in outpatient treatment responders.

The results were presented here on March 22^nd at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America 25^th Annual Conference.

The study cohort consisted of 169 patients had a mean age of 38 years and a current panic disorder duration of approximately 5 years. Approximately half had a global panic disorder severity rating of 3 or 4.

Participants received 164.9 mg to 170.8 mg of venlafaxine during the double-blind phase, with a mean dose of 165 mg daily; the maximum dose during the open-label phase was 225 mg.

At the end of the trial, 22% of venlafaxine patients had relapsed, compared to 50% of those on placebo. In addition, 47% of venlafaxine patients were panic free, compared to 25% of those on placebo.

Endpoint Hamilton Anxiety Ratings Scale total scores for the venlafaxine and placebo groups were a mean of 7.44 and 13.7, respectively.

Few treatment-associated withdrawals occurred in the venlafaxine group, the authors noted.

Adverse events that occurred in the treatment group were similar to those seen in earlier studies of venlafaxine in subjects with depression, general anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder, and most commonly included headache, diarrhea and dizziness.

The study was supported by Wyeth Research.


[Presentation title: Preventing Relapse of Panic Disorder in Adult Outpatient Responders to Venlafaxine XR. Poster 157]

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