Abstract
Introduction: Desvenlafaxine, the active metabolite of venlafaxine, was approved in 2008 by the
FDA for the treatment of depression. The aim of the present review is to provide an
overview of the existing trials with desvenlafaxine and assess its overall efficacy
and tolerability.
Methods: We searched in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for eligible studies (double-blind
randomized control trials). A random effects model was used for the estimation of
effect sizes.
Results: 17 trials were found in total. In the placebo-controlled trials the overall risk
ratio for response was 1.24 (1.16–1.32, p<0.001), for remission 1.29 (1.16–1.43, p<0.001),
for dropouts 1.16 (0.99–1.35, p=0.066) and for dropouts due to adverse events 1.98
(1.45–2.69, p<0.001). There were no differences between the various doses that were
used (i. e., 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg). The mean risk ratio for response in the
head-to-head trials was 0.90 (0.82–0.98, p=0.014) and for remission 0.82 (0.71–0.95,
p=0.009).
Discussion: The risk ratios for response and remission were moderate. We further provide some
evidence that desvenlafaxine might not be as efficacious as other antidepressants.
Key words
depression - desvenlafaxine - SNRI - review - meta-analysis
