Efficacy of Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release for the Treatment of Perimenopausal Depressive Women with Vasomotor Symptoms: Open-Label Observation Study.
- Author:
Mi Ru KIM
1
;
Jung Goo LEE
;
Jun Hyung BAEK
;
Young Hoon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan, Korea. iybihwc@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Climacteric syndrome;
Vasomotor symptoms;
Venlafaxine hydrochloride
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Climacteric;
Depression;
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
Female;
Humans;
Menopause;
Quality of Life;
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
- From:Korean Journal of Psychopharmacology
2014;25(4):186-191
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: During the transition to menopause, various symptoms including vasomotor symptoms and depressed mood lead to low quality of life. We investigated the effect of low-dose venlafaxine hydrochloride extended release on depressed mood and vasomotor symptoms of perimenopausal women. METHODS: 33 perimenopausal women fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for a depressive episode were enrolled between January 2014 and May 2014. Subjects were prescribed 37.5 mg/day or 75 mg/day venlafaxine hydrochloride according to clinician's judgement, and the dosages were maintained for 8 weeks. Depressed mood and other psychological difficulties were evaluated by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA), Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Climacteric symptoms including vasomotor symptoms were evaluated by using Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). For statistical analysis, paired t-test was used. RESULTS: Significant decreases in HAMD, HAMA, GCS scores were observed after 2 weeks of treatment and the trends continued until the end of the study. The scores of HAMD significantly decreased, 28 of them reached remission (HAMD < or =7). The scores on vasomotor symptoms of GCS after 8 week treatment significantly decreased compared to baseline (13.1+/-5.0, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that venlafaxine hydrochloride is effective and tolerable treatment option for vasomotor symptoms and depressed mood in perimenopausal women. To validate our results, furthur studies with double-blind, placebo controlled will be needed.
