THE EFFICACY OF VENLAFAXINE ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AND MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Ö. Ayhan Kalyoncu; Hasan Mırsal; Özkan Pektaş; Devran Tan; Mansur Beyazyürek

THE EFFICACY OF VENLAFAXINE ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AND MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Authors

Ö. Ayhan Kalyoncu Balıklı Rum Hastanesi Vakfı, Anatolia Klinikleri
Hasan Mırsal Balıklı Rum Hastanesi Vakfı, Anatolia Klinikleri
Özkan Pektaş Balıklı Rum Hastanesi Vakfı, Anatolia Klinikleri
Devran Tan Şırnak Devlet Hastanesi
Mansur Beyazyürek Balıklı Rum Hastanesi Vakfı, Anatolia Klinikleri

Keywords:

Venlafaxine, depression, alcohol dependence, efficacy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of venlafaxine on depressive symptoms of patients diagnosed with both alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder.
Method: Patients with a diagnosis of both alcohol use disorder and MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) according to DSM-IV criteria, baseline Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) scores of minimum 14 at first evaluation, abstinence from alcohol for at least 2 weeks and an age between 18 – 65 years were enrolled to the study. In the first week of the study, venlafaxine XR was administered at 75 mg/day. In the second week the dosage was increased to 150 mg/day which was the accepted treatment dosage. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), HAM-D, Clinical Glogal Impression Scale (CGI) and Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) tests were applied to the patients. The patients were evaluated prior to study and on days –1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 43 and 57 of drug treatment.
Results: A total of 61 patients were screened for the study. As a result, 59 patients were included in the first visit and 4 of these patients discontinued the study. The reasons for discontinuation were: increase of depressive symptoms in two cases; one case manic shift; resumption of alcohol use in one case. HAM-D, HAM-A and SCL-90-R total scores decreased during the treatment period and this decrease was also statistically significant.
Conclusion: Our results suggest significant improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms during venlafaxine XR treatment in patients diagnosed with both alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder.

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THE EFFICACY OF VENLAFAXINE ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH BOTH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AND MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER