A randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of venlafaxine‐extended release for co‐occurring cannabis dependence and depressive disorders. (21st March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levin, Frances R.; Mariani, John; Brooks, Daniel J.; Pavlicova, Martina; Nunes, Edward V.; Agosti, Vito; Bisaga, Adam; Sullivan, Maria A.; Carpenter, Kenneth M.
• Is Part Of: Addiction. Volume 108:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 1084
• Page End: 1094
• Publication Date: 2013-03-21
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/add.12108
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2140

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="add12108-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To evaluate whether venlafaxine‐extended release (VEN‐XR) is an effective treatment for cannabis dependence with concurrent depressive disorders.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12108-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>This was a randomized, 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of out‐patients (<italic>n</italic> = 103) with DSM‐IV cannabis dependence and major depressive disorder or dysthymia. Participants received up to 375 mg VEN‐XR on a fixed‐flexible schedule or placebo. All patients received weekly individual cognitive–behavioral psychotherapy that primarily targeted marijuana use.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12108-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Settings</title> <p>The trial was conducted at two university research centers in the United States.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12108-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>One hundred and three cannabis‐dependent adults participated in the trial.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12108-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Measurements</title> <p>The primary outcome measures were (i) abstinence from marijuana defined as at least two consecutive urine‐confirmed abstinent weeks and (ii) improvement in depressive symptoms based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12108-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Findings</title> <p>The proportion of patients achieving a clinically significant mood improvement (50% decrease in Hamilton Depression score from baseline) was high and did not differ between groups receiving VEN‐XR (63%) and placebo (69%) (χ<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup> = 0.48, <italic>P</italic> = 0.49). The proportion of patients achieving abstinence was low overall, but was significantly worse on VEN‐XR (11.8%) compared to placebo (36.5%) (χ<sub>1</sub><sup>2</sup> = 7.46, <italic>P</italic> < 0.01; odds ratio = 4.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.53, 13.3). Mood improvement was associated with reduction in marijuana use in the placebo group (<italic>F</italic><sub>1, 179</sub> = 30.49, <italic>P</italic> < 0.01), but not the VEN‐XR group (<italic>F</italic><sub>1, 186</sub> = 0.02, <italic>P</italic> = 0.89).</p> </sec> <sec id="add12108-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>For depressed, cannabis‐dependent patients, venlafaxine‐extended release does not appear to be effective at reducing depression and may lead to an increase in cannabis use.</p> </sec> </abstract>