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| |  ADAA MEETING: Effexor XR Effective In Treating Symptoms Of Generalised Anxiety Disorder SAN DIEGO, CA -- March 26, 1999 -- Two new studies presented at the 19th annual meeting of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) on the antidepressant Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories’ Effexor(R) XR (venlafaxine HCl) Extended-Release Capsules, recently approved to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), demonstrate the antidepressant to be an effective, long-term treatment for symptoms of GAD. The two new studies are the first placebo-controlled trials to demonstrate the long-term benefit of any drug class in treating patients diagnosed with GAD without major depressive disorder or any other psychiatric illness. In both studies, patients given Effexor XR showed significant improvements in symptoms of GAD for up to six months, compared with those given a placebo. "As GAD continues to be one of the most prevalent, chronic anxiety disorders, it is very important to find a treatment that can provide long-term benefits," said Dr. David Sheehan, director of clinical research, professor of psychiatry at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. "Effexor XR could potentially offer patients an effective and safe alternative to the current treatments, as it is the only medication shown to significantly reduce GAD symptoms for up to six months without causing the drowsiness or potential addiction that may be associated with other anti-anxiety medications." Approximately five percent of Americans, most of whom are women, suffer from generalised anxiety disorder. GAD consists of a broad range of persistent anxiety symptoms, including exaggerated and unrealistic worries, agitation, nervousness and sleep disturbances that last for at least six months. "Patients with GAD are often edgy, irritable, and easily fatigued, and have difficulty getting through their daily activities because of excessive worries about their job or family," Dr. Sheehan said. "The new data suggest that Effexor XR not only relieves symptoms of GAD, but also can help patients regain a normal life, allowing them to go to work and lead a healthy family life without many of the excessive worries." The two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluated the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of Effexor XR in treating symptoms of GAD. In the first study, 251 patients were treated for six months with either a daily dose of 75, 150, or 225 milligrams (mg) of Effexor XR or a placebo. The second trial studied 344 patients treated with a daily dose of 37.5, 75, or 150 mg of Effexor XR or a placebo over a six-month period. Patients treated with Effexor XR experienced significant reductions in symptoms of GAD, which were maintained for six months. Improvements were based on psychiatric measures such as the Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) psychic anxiety factor score. Additionally, more patients treated with Effexor XR reported symptom improvement -- based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) anxiety factor. The higher dose (150 and 225 mg) of Effexor XR also appeared to improve the ability of patients to adjust socially. Anxiety disorders, which include GAD, affect more than 19 million Americans at a cost of more than $46 billion US each year. In addition, many patients diagnosed with GAD also may experience depressive symptoms, such as agitation, insomnia, lack of concentration and irritability. These patients are often more likely to seek professional help, receive medication and have difficulty carrying out daily activities than patients with anxiety alone.
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