Venlafaxine titration dosage in depressive in-patients. A series of cases

Abstract

This series of patients was gathered to assess the use of last and slow titration dosage of venlafaxine in in-patients with major depression and to evaluate the action onset. An observational open study was performed in 3 centers in 18 in-patients. Nine patients were included in fast titration dosage group (FT) and 9 in slow titration dosage group (ST). As results, it was found that the FT group showed faster improvement than the ST group in the Hamilton scale for depression (HAM-D) score. This improvement was sustained to the final visit, with a lower score in the FT group (6.75) than the ST group (10.67). The Montgomery and Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) scores up to the 15th visit were similar; however, the score was lower in the ST group on the 20th visit. Improvement was sustained to the final visit, the FT group score being lower (6.50) than the ST group score (14). The Clinical Global Impression scale (C G I ) i m p rovement and CGI-seve rity scores we re similar to the above mentioned results. The most common events in both groups were considered mild. The data of these patients show faster response to antidepressant therapy with faster titration dosage, with maintenance of the molecule’s tolerability profile.