Citation

Emslie GJ, Findling RL, Yeung PP, Kunz NR, Li Y. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 2007; 46(4): 479-488.

Affiliation

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA. graham.emslie@utsouthwestern.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/chi.0b013e31802f5f03

PMID

17420682

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The safety, efficacy, and tolerability of venlafaxine extended release (ER) in subjects ages 7 to 17 years with major depressive disorder were evaluated in two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted between October 1997 and August 2001. METHOD: Participants received venlafaxine ER (flexible dose, based on body weight; intent to treat, n = 169) or placebo (intent to treat, n = 165) for up to 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline in the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised score at week 8. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between venlafaxine ER and placebo on the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised in either study. A post hoc age subgroup analysis of the pooled data showed greater improvement on the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised with venlafaxine ER than with placebo (-24.4 versus -19.9; p = .022) among adolescents (ages 12-17), but not among children (ages 7-11). The most common adverse events were anorexia and abdominal pain. Hostility and suicide-related events were more common in venlafaxine ER-treated participants than in placebo-treated participants. There were no completed suicides. CONCLUSIONS: Venlafaxine ER may be effective in depressed adolescents. However, its safety and efficacy in pediatric patients has not been established. Prescribers should monitor for signs of suicidal ideation and hostility in pediatric patients taking venlafaxine ER.

Language: en