Brief Report

Venlafaxine in the treatment of depressive and vasomotor symptoms in women with perimenopausal depression

  1. Charlotte O. Ladd M.D., Ph.D.1,
  2. D. Jeffrey Newport M.D., M.S., M.Div.1,*,
  3. Kimberly A. Ragan M.S.W.1,
  4. Ada Loughhead B.S.1,
  5. Zachary N. Stowe M.D.1,2

Article first published online: 10 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1002/da.20085

Issue

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and Anxiety

Volume 22, Issue 2, pages 94–97, 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ladd, C. O., Newport, D. J., Ragan, K. A., Loughhead, A. and Stowe, Z. N. (2005), Venlafaxine in the treatment of depressive and vasomotor symptoms in women with perimenopausal depression. Depression and Anxiety, 22: 94–97. doi: 10.1002/da.20085

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

  2. 2

    Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

*Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Suite B6100, Atlanta, GA 30322

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 OCT 2005
  2. Article first published online: 10 AUG 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 10 JUN 2005
  4. Manuscript Revised: 10 MAY 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 17 NOV 2004

Funded by

  • Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

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Keywords:

  • perimenopause;
  • depression;
  • antidepressant;
  • hot flashes;
  • vasomotor

Abstract

Perimenopause is often marked by vasomotor symptoms and dysphoria. Antidepressant studies have demonstrated decreased frequency and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and menopausal women. We hypothesized that venlafaxine would relieve both depressive and vasomotor symptoms in depressed perimenopausal women. Sixteen women fulfilling clinical criteria for climacteric phase and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria for a depressive episode were enrolled in an open-label 8-week trial of extended-release venlafaxine. Depressive and climacteric symptoms were monitored using the Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression (Ham-D) and Anxiety (Ham-A), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, and Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol concentrations were monitored. Significant decreases in Ham-D and Ham-A scores and the GCS psychiatric subscale were seen after 2 weeks of treatment. In an intention-to-treat analysis, 81% of the subjects demonstrated a therapeutic antidepressant response (>50% decline in Ham-D score) and 75% achieved clinical remission (Ham-D score ≤7) after 8 weeks of venlafaxine therapy (75–225 mg/day). Total GCS scores declined 60%, and GCS vasomotor subscores decreased among those with vasomotor symptoms at baseline. These data suggest that venlafaxine treatment improves overall well-being, reduces depressive symptoms, and may diminish baseline vasomotor symptoms in depressed perimenopausal women. Further studies are warranted to investigate the utility of venlafaxine in perimenopausal depression. Depression and Anxiety 22:94–97, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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