Venlafaxine is an antidepressant of the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social phobia, panic disorder, and vasomotor symptoms. It may also be used for chronic pain.
It has been used off label for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and migraine prevention.
Venlafaxine was similar in efficacy to the atypical antidepressant bupropion; however, the remission rate was lower for venlafaxine. In a double-blind study, patients who did not respond to an SSRI were switched to either venlafaxine or another SSRI (citalopram); similar improvement was observed in both groups.
It may work on pain via effects on the opioid receptor. It has also been found to reduce the severity of ‘hot flashes’ in menopausal women and men on hormonal therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Due to its action on both the serotoninergic and adrenergic systems, venlafaxine is also used as a treatment to reduce episodes of cataplexy, a form of muscle weakness, in patients with the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Some open label and three double blind studies have suggested the efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Clinical trials have found possible efficacy in those with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Case reports, open trials and blinded comparisons with established medications have suggested the efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.
