Efficacy of Venlafaxine ER in patients with social anxiety disorder: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group comparison with paroxetine

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Abstract
This study evaluated the anxiolytic efficacy, safety and tolerability of a flexible dose of venlafaxine extended release (ER) compared with placebo and paroxetine in the short‐term treatment of generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD). Adult outpatients with generalized SAD (n = 434) were randomized to receive capsules of venlafaxine ER 75 mg to 225 mg/day, paroxetine 20 mg to 50 mg/day, or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the Liebowitz social anxiety scale total score. Secondary efficacy variables included the patient‐rated social phobia inventory and the proportion of responders in each group (a responder was defined as having a clinical global impression‐improvement score of 1 or 2). Treatment with venlafaxine ER was associated with significantly greater improvement than treatment with placebo for all primary and secondary efficacy variables (p < 0.05). No significant differences in primary or secondary efficacy variables were observed between the venlafaxine ER and paroxetine groups. The week 12 response rates were 69%, 66% and 36% for the venlafaxine ER, paroxetine and placebo groups, respectively. Both active treatments were generally well tolerated and were associated with a similar incidence of adverse events. This study shows that venlafaxine ER is an effective, safe and well‐tolerated drug treatment for SAD. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.