Cost-effectiveness of venlafaxine for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Bibliographic review

Abstract

Objective. To compare the efficiency of the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with venlafaxine in comparison with tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

Methods. A bibliographic systematic review of the published pharmacoeconomic studies in which one of the treatments was venlafaxine (immediate or extended-release) was conducted for MDD or GAD indications.

Results. Nine studies for immediate-release venlafaxine and seven with extended-release in MDD were published, two with Spanish data. In the more extended Spanish model (1 year treatment), in depressive disorder, 106, 97 and 99 depression symptom free days (SFD) were achieved by venlafaxine, TCA and SSRI respectively, with annual costs of 6,791, 7,116 and 7,029 €. Similar results were obtained in the second Spanish 6 month study. Regarding GAD, after the treatment of elderly patients during 8 weeks, 17 and 5 SFD were obtained with venlafaxine and placebo, with a cost per SFD of 22.94 and 65.40 €, respectively.

Conclusions. According to the available studies, venlafaxine generates lower total costs (due to the reduction of treatment failure costs) than SSRI and TCA for the treatment of MDD. Venlafaxine is cost-effective in comparison with no treatment for GAD.