Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2014 Oct;25(4):186-191. 10.0000/kjp.2014.25.4.186.

Efficacy of Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release for the Treatment of Perimenopausal Depressive Women with Vasomotor Symptoms: Open-Label Observation Study

• Kim MR
• Lee JG
• Baek JH
• Kim YH

• KMID: 2287766
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjp.2014.25.4.186

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.

Keyword

Climacteric syndrome; Vasomotor symptoms; Venlafaxine hydrochloride

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Climacteric
Depression
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Humans
Menopause
Quality of Life
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride