Anxiolytics venlafaxine

Pregabalin produced anxiolytic effects similar to lorazepam, alprazolam, and venlafaxine in acute trials. Sedation and dizziness were the most common adverse effects, and the dose should be tapered over 1 week upon discontinuation. 

Venlafaxine extended release, duloxetine, paroxetine, and escitalopram are FDA approved for treatment of GAD. Sertraline is also effective. Acute response and remission rates are approximately 65% and 30%, respectively. Imipramine may be used when patients fail to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In one trial, diazepam, trazodone, and imipramine had greater anxiolytic activity than placebo. 

Taken together, the efficacy of antidepressants covers the spectrum of anxiety disorders, although there are important differences between drugs in the group (Table 3). Several new antidepressants have been marketed since the SS-RIs venlafaxine and mirtazapine are discussed later (Sects. 3.2.1.2 and 3.2.1.4) nefazodone, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and postsynaptic 5-HT2 blocker showed promise in early studies but was recently withdrawn by its manufacturers reboxetine, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NARI) showed benefits in panic disorder in one published study (Versiani et al. 2002) and further evidence of its anxiolytic efficacy is awaited. 

In addition to buspirone and the non-barbituate, non-BZP hypnotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), venlafaxine, and other new antidepressants all represent attempts to achieve anxiolytic and hypnotic effects seen with the BZDs, while avoiding their unwanted properties. 

Recently, venlafaxine XR became the first agent to be approved both to treat mood in depression and anxiety in GAD. Thus, the final gap in the great divide between antidepressants and anxiolytics has been bridged (Fig. 8—10). It has been... 

FIGURE 8—10. In the late 1990s the antidepressants venlafaxine XR and others have become first-line treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. Thus, antidepressants are now first-line treatments for both depression and anxiety disorders, rendering the classification of antidepressant versus anxiolytic inappropriate for many antidepressants. 

We have discussed how various antidepressants, especially venlafaxine XR, are being used increasingly for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Buspirone remains a first-line generalized anxiolytic for chronic anxiety, and benzodiazepines are used largely for short-term treatment of intermittent anxiety symptoms. 

Antidepressant drugs, however, might have direct anxiolytic effects. That is, certain antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil) or venlafaxine (Effexor) can help reduce anxiety independent of their effects on depression.1,47 These antidepressants have therefore been advocated as an alternative treatment for anxiety, especially for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional anxiolytics, or who might be especially susceptible to the addictive properties of drugs like the benzodiazepines.1,9,46 Moreover, antidepressants such as paroxetine or venlafaxine are now considered effective as the primary treatment for several forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder.4,29,53 Antidepressants, either used alone or in combination with antianxiety drugs, have become an important component in the treatment of anxiety. 

Venlafaxine extended-release, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), alleviates anxiety in patients with and without co-morbid depression. The reduction in psychic symptoms of anxiety and tension is not accompanied by significant reductions in somatic symptoms. Venlafaxine (dosed once daily) was effective at doses of 150 and 225 mg for 2 months in patients with GAD, and efficacy was maintained for an additional 6 months of therapy." Paroxetine was significantly more effective than placebo at achieving response in 62% and 68% of patients at 20 and 40 mg daily, respectively, after 2 months. Remission occurred in 30% and 36% of patients taking 20 and 40 mg of paroxetine, respectively." Escitalopram was more efficacious than placebo in three 8-week trials in patients with GAD. In a four paraUel-group comparison, diazepam and trazodone were found to be equivalent in anxiolytic activity (remission rates of 66% and 69%, respectively) compared with placebo (47% remission rate), but rmipramine s rate of remission (73%) exceeded that of the other three treatments. ... 

Anxiolytic antidepressants (trazodone, venlafaxine), clonazepam (or other benzodiazepines note that, generally, benzodiazepines are not recommended for long-term use in SAD), gabapentin,... 

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