Remission From Depression: a Review of Venlafaxine Clinical and Economic Evidence

Despite the prevalence of depression, under-recognition & under-treatment are common. Clinicians have assessed the short-term effectiveness of antidepressants by response rates. However, this usually does not reflect true clinician remission. Persistence of residual symptoms appears to be a common link to relapse, chronic disability & death by suicide. The availability of an effective armamentarium of antidepressant strategies, including venlafaxine, to achieve & sustain remission offers both clinical & economic value to those touched by the burden of depression. (LC) (86 refs)