NEW YORK, June 21 (Praxis Press) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with debilitating psychic and somatic symptoms. Previous studies have found that Venlafaxine extended-release (XR) capsules are effective in short-term treatment of patients with GAD, but without major depressive disorder (MDD). It is unclear, however, whether venlafaxine XR confers long-term benefits. Gelenberg and colleagues compared the 6-month efficacy and safety of a flexible dosage of venlafaxine XR in 251 outpatients with GAD, without associated MDD, and compared them to controls taking a placebo (see article). During weeks 6 through 28 of the trial, response rates to standardized tests measuring anxiety in the venlafaxine XR group were 69% or higher compared with rates of 42% to 46% in the placebo group. The most common side effects were nausea, followed by somnolence and dry mouth. Venlafaxine XR is an effective, rapidly acting, safe, once-daily agent for both the short- and long-term treatment of anxiety.