Efexor* XL (venlafaxine) May Help Adult Patients Prevent Recurrent Episodes of Depression for Up to Two Years

Clinical trial data showing that Efexor* XL (venlafaxine) helped patients prevent the recurrence of depression for up to two years1a, was presented at the British Association for Psychopharmacology summer meeting in Harrogate. It is the first time that a modern antidepressant has demonstrated prevention of recurrence, versus placebo, over a two year period.2 These findings reinforce guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), that anti-depressants should be continued for two years in patients who have had 2 or more episodes. 3

Results from the Prevention of Recurrent Episodes of Depression with VENlafaxine XR for Two Years (PREVENT)1b study demonstrated that 70% of patients continued to respond to treatment with venlafaxine at doses 225mg/day and less over 2 years1c, and were therefore significantly more likely to remain recurrence-free than patients taking placebo.

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