Trial Outcomes & Findings for Venlafaxine ER Phase 3 Study for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (NCT NCT01441440)

NCT ID: NCT01441440

Last Updated: 2021-01-28

Results Overview

HAM-D17 is a standardized, clinician-administered rating scale that assesses 17 items characteristically associated with major depression (symptoms such as depressed mood, work and activities, sleep, suicide, psychomotor agitation/retardation, appetite, sexual interest, anxiety, and somatic symptoms). The items of the HAM-D17 are rated on a scale of 0 to 2 or 0 to 4, and the total score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Change from baseline: mean score at Week 8 or early termination minus mean score at baseline.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE3

Target enrollment

538 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Results posted on

2021-01-28

Participant Flow

Subjects were confirmed to meet entry criteria at the screening visit, followed by a 2-week screening period. Subjects who continued to meet all study entry criteria at baseline were randomized to 10 weeks of treatment with placebo, venlafaxine ER 75 mg/day Fixed, or venlafaxine ER 75-225 mg/day Flexible in the ratio of 1:1:1.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Placebo
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Overall Study
STARTED
183
174
180
Overall Study
COMPLETED
166
151
158
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
17
23
22

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Placebo
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Overall Study
Death
1
0
1
Overall Study
Adverse Event
2
9
9
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
0
2
1
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
11
9
9
Overall Study
Pregnancy
1
0
0
Overall Study
Lack of Efficacy
1
0
1
Overall Study
Moving
0
1
1
Overall Study
Work-related matter
0
1
0
Overall Study
Difficllty in keeping the schedule
1
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Venlafaxine ER Phase 3 Study for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Placebo
n=184 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=179 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Total
n=537 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
38.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.1 • n=5 Participants
38.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.9 • n=7 Participants
38.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.2 • n=5 Participants
38.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.1 • n=4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
FEMALE
93 Participants
n=5 Participants
90 Participants
n=7 Participants
86 Participants
n=5 Participants
269 Participants
n=4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
MALE
91 Participants
n=5 Participants
84 Participants
n=7 Participants
93 Participants
n=5 Participants
268 Participants
n=4 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Population: Participants randomly assigned to treatment who took at least one dose of the study drug in the double-blind period and who had both baseline and at least one post-baseline measurements of the primary efficacy variable.

HAM-D17 is a standardized, clinician-administered rating scale that assesses 17 items characteristically associated with major depression (symptoms such as depressed mood, work and activities, sleep, suicide, psychomotor agitation/retardation, appetite, sexual interest, anxiety, and somatic symptoms). The items of the HAM-D17 are rated on a scale of 0 to 2 or 0 to 4, and the total score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Change from baseline: mean score at Week 8 or early termination minus mean score at baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=184 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=177 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Change From Baseline in 17-item Hamilton Raing Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) Total Score at Week 8 or Early Termination
-9.25 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.48
-10.76 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.50
-10.37 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.49

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Population: Participants randomly assigned to treatment who took at least one dose of the study drug in the double-blind period and who had both baseline and at least one post-baseline measurements of the primary efficacy variable.

MADRS is a scale used in subjects with major depressive disorder to measure the overall severity of depressive symptoms. It is a 10 item, clinician-rated scale that assesses treatment-sensitive change by evaluating ten areas of depressive symptomatology: apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, suicidal thoughts. The items are rated on a 7 point Likert scale (0 - 6) with anchors at 2 point intervals. The total score ranges from 0 to 60, and higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Change from baseline: mean score at Week 8 or early termination minus mean score at baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=182 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=172 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=176 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Changes From Baseline in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score at Week 8 or Early Termination
-12.41 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.75
-15.30 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.77
-15.05 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.76

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Population: Participants randomly assigned to treatment who took at least one dose of the study drug in the double-blind period and who had both baseline and at least one post-baseline measurements of the primary efficacy variable.

CGI-S is a 7-point clinician rated scale to assess severity of participant's current illness state; range: 1=normal, not ill at all, 2=borderline mentally ill, 3=mildly ill, 4=moderately ill, 5=markedly ill, 6=severely ill, 7=among the most extremely ill patients. Higher scores reflect higher severity of current illness states. Change from baseline: mean score at Week 8 or early termination minus mean score at baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=184 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=177 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Changes From Baseline in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) at Week 8 or Early Termination
-1.31 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.08
-1.57 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.08
-1.56 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.08

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Population: Participants randomly assigned to treatment who took at least one dose of the study drug in the double-blind period and who had both baseline and at least one post-baseline measurements of the primary efficacy variable.

HAM-D6 is a subset of the HAM-D17 that assesses 6 items associated with major depression. The scale uses HAM-D17 items 1, 2, 7, 8, 10 and 13. Item 13 is scored 0 to 2 and all others are scored 0 to 4. Total score ranges from 0 to 22; higher score indicates more depression. Change from baseline: mean score at Week 8 or early termination minus mean score at baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=184 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=177 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Changes From Baseline in 6-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D6) Total Score at Week 8 or Early Termination
-4.92 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.28
-6.10 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.29
-5.99 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.29

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Population: Participants randomly assigned to treatment who took at least one dose of the study drug in the double-blind period and who had both baseline and at least one post-baseline measurements of the primary efficacy variable.

QIDS16-SR-J is a self-rated scale used in patients with major depressive disorder to measure the overall severity of depressive symptoms: 1) sad mood; 2) concentration; 3) self-criticism; 4) suicidal ideation; 5) interest; 6) energy/fatigue; 7) sleep disturbance (initial, middle, and late insomnia or hypersomnia); 8) decrease/increase in appetite/weight; and 9) psychomotor agitation/retardation. QIDS16-SR-J items are rated on a scale of 0 to 3. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, and higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Change from baseline: mean score at Week 8 or early termination minus mean score at baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=182 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=172 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=175 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Changes From Baseline in 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report Japanese Version (QIDS16-SR-J) Total Score at Week 8 or Early Termination
-6.50 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.36
-8.00 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.37
-7.27 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.37

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 8 or Early termination

Population: Participants randomly assigned to treatment who took at least one dose of the study drug in the double-blind period and who had both baseline and at least one post-baseline measurements of the primary efficacy variable.

CGI-I is a 7-point clinician rated scale ranging from 1=very much improved, 2=much improved, 3=minimally improved, 4=no change, 5=minimally worse, 6=much worse, to 7=very much worse. Improvement is defined as a score of 1 (very much improved), 2 (much improved), or 3 (minimally improved) on the scale. Scores above 4 reflect worsening of illness state as compared to baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=184 Participants
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=177 Participants
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Mean Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score at Week 8 or Early Termination
2.53 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.08
2.32 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.09
2.28 Units on a scale
Standard Error 0.08

Adverse Events

Placebo

Serious events: 2 serious events
Other events: 98 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 112 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 131 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Placebo
n=183 participants at risk
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 participants at risk
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=180 participants at risk
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Meniere's disease
0.00%
0/183
0.57%
1/174
0.00%
0/180
Psychiatric disorders
Completed suicide
0.55%
1/183
0.00%
0/174
0.56%
1/180
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anaemia
0.55%
1/183
0.00%
0/174
0.00%
0/180

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Placebo
n=183 participants at risk
Participants received placebo capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks.
Venlafaxine 75 mg/Day Fixed
n=174 participants at risk
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was continued 75 mg/day until Week 8.
Venlafaxine 75-225 mg/Day Flexible
n=180 participants at risk
Participants received venlafaxine ER capsule orally once daily after meal for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 37.5 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day at Week 1. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 2, the dose was increased to 150 mg/day. If there was no tolerability concern at Week 3, the dose was increased to 225 mg/day. Dose was reduced in the case of intolerability and if the participants could not take venlafaxine 75 mg/day or higher doses at Week 1 and the following weeks, the treatment were discontinued. No dose adjustment was allowed from Week 4 to Week 8.
Cardiac disorders
Palpitations
2.7%
5/183
4.6%
8/174
3.3%
6/180
Cardiac disorders
Tachycardia
0.00%
0/183
2.3%
4/174
3.9%
7/180
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Vertigo
1.1%
2/183
2.3%
4/174
3.3%
6/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal discomfort
2.2%
4/183
4.0%
7/174
6.1%
11/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain upper
3.8%
7/183
2.9%
5/174
0.00%
0/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
4.4%
8/183
9.8%
17/174
9.4%
17/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhoea
3.8%
7/183
3.4%
6/174
4.4%
8/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dry mouth
0.55%
1/183
2.9%
5/174
3.9%
7/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
13.1%
24/183
22.4%
39/174
29.4%
53/180
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
3.8%
7/183
2.9%
5/174
2.2%
4/180
General disorders
Feeling abnormal
0.00%
0/183
1.1%
2/174
2.2%
4/180
General disorders
Malaise
2.7%
5/183
5.2%
9/174
6.1%
11/180
General disorders
Thirst
7.7%
14/183
6.3%
11/174
10.0%
18/180
Infections and infestations
Nasopharyngitis
22.4%
41/183
20.1%
35/174
17.8%
32/180
Investigations
Alanine aminotransferase increased
0.00%
0/183
2.3%
4/174
1.1%
2/180
Investigations
Blood pressure increased
1.1%
2/183
2.3%
4/174
2.8%
5/180
Investigations
Heart rate increased
2.2%
4/183
5.7%
10/174
7.2%
13/180
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Decreased appetite
0.55%
1/183
2.3%
4/174
2.2%
4/180
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness
2.7%
5/183
5.7%
10/174
10.0%
18/180
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness postural
0.55%
1/183
1.1%
2/174
2.8%
5/180
Nervous system disorders
Headache
7.7%
14/183
9.2%
16/174
10.0%
18/180
Nervous system disorders
Somnolence
8.2%
15/183
12.1%
21/174
17.2%
31/180
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia
3.3%
6/183
2.3%
4/174
4.4%
8/180
Renal and urinary disorders
Pollakiuria
0.00%
0/183
1.1%
2/174
2.8%
5/180
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Hyperhidrosis
1.1%
2/183
1.7%
3/174
8.3%
15/180

Additional Information

Pfizer ClinicalTrials.gov Call Center

Pfizer, Inc.

Phone: 1-800-718-1021

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee Pfizer has the right to review disclosures, requesting a delay of less than 60 days. Investigator will postpone single center publications until after disclosure of pooled data (all sites), less than 12 months from study completion/termination at all participating sites. Investigator may not disclose previously undisclosed confidential information other than study results.
  • Publication restrictions are in place

Restriction type: OTHER