Use of venlafaxine in psychiatric disorders and climacteric syndrome: is a therapeutic bridge?

Objective: To verify the efficacy of the double-action mechanism of venlafaxine for depression and climacteric symptoms. Methods: A group of 20 postmenopausal women (age range 4060 years) with diagnosis of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and climacteric symptoms was enrolled. All participants received venlafaxine (75mg/day) for 2 months. Clinical checkup and evaluation test were repeated every 2 weeks for 2 months of treatment. Results: Before treatment, the mean scores for the clinical evaluation scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) were 13.9 and 18.7, respectively (mildmoderate severity). The general level of psychopathology was not particularly high (Symptomatology Checklist-90, mean total 103), the most common psychopathological dimensions were depression and somatization. The sample suffered from mild climacteric syndrome (Kupperman Index Score, mean=19.1). Clinical improvement was visible after 2 weeks of treatment and continued until the last checkup, 2 months after the start of treatment (final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores: 5.1 and 6.3, respectively). Kupperman Index Scores at the end of the treatment period demonstrated complete resolution of the climacteric syndrome (mean score=6.57). Conclusion: Venlafaxine is efficacy in treating both psychiatric disorders and climacteric symptomatology.