Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children?

Findings from two related studies include lack of efficacy in one study and possible adverse cardiovascular, growth, and lipid effects.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may occur in as many as 15% of children. Thus, medications that have been effective in adults are worth studying in pediatric patients.

These two manufacturer-sponsored, identically designed, randomized, placebo-controlled, 8-week studies of extended-release venlafaxine enrolled 323 children with GAD at 59 sites in the U.S. (age range, 6–17; average illness duration, 170 weeks). Children with the commonly occurring, but subsyndromal, social or school phobias were included. Venlafaxine was dosed by weight (maximum daily dose: 112.5 mg for 25–39 kg; 225.0 mg for ≥50 kg). Researchers analyzed both study-specific and pooled data.

In study 1, but not in study 2, researchers found significantly better efficacy for…

Reviewing Author

Barbara Geller, MD

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children?

Topics

Reviewing Author