From the Guidelines
Venlafaxine, the active ingredient in Venixxa, works by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters involved in pain regulation and mood modulation. According to the study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 1, venlafaxine has shown efficacy in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy and painful polyneuropathies of different origins. The recommended dosage of venlafaxine is typically 150-225 mg/d, and it is available in short- and long-acting preparations.
Some key points to consider when using Venixxa include:
- Cardiac conduction abnormalities have been reported in a small number of patients, and blood pressure increases can occur, so venlafaxine should be prescribed with caution in patients with cardiac disease 1.
- Venlafaxine should be tapered when treatment is being discontinued because a withdrawal syndrome has been described 1.
- The most common adverse effect of venlafaxine is nausea, which seems to be reduced by administering 30 mg once daily for 1 week before increasing to 60 mg once daily, although this specific dosage is more relevant to duloxetine 1.
- A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine 1 notes that venlafaxine may be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events, although the evidence is weak.
In terms of efficacy, venlafaxine has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of neuropathic pain, with some studies suggesting that it can be as effective as other first-line treatments such as gabapentin and pregabalin 1. However, it's essential to carefully evaluate each patient's response to treatment and adjust the dosage or switch to an alternative medication if necessary.
Overall, Venixxa can be a useful treatment option for patients with neuropathic pain, but it's crucial to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks, as well as individual patient factors, when making treatment decisions.
From the Research
Mechanism of Venixxa
- Venixxa, also known as micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF), is a venoactive drug used to treat post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) 2.
- The exact mechanism of Venixxa is not fully understood, but it is believed to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation in the affected area.
Clinical Trials
- The MUFFIN-PTS trial is a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of Venixxa in treating PTS 2.
- The trial involves 86 patients with PTS who will receive either 1000 mg of oral MPFF or a placebo for 6 months, in addition to their usual PTS treatment.
- The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with improvement in Villalta score, which measures the severity of PTS symptoms.
Comparison to Other Treatments
- Venixxa has been compared to other treatments for venous thromboembolism (VTE), such as apixaban and rivaroxaban, which are oral anticoagulants that inhibit factor Xa 3, 4, 5, 6.
- These treatments have been shown to be effective in preventing recurrent VTE and reducing the risk of major bleeding.
- However, Venixxa is specifically used to treat PTS, which is a chronic condition that can occur after DVT.
Efficacy and Safety
- The efficacy and safety of Venixxa in treating PTS are being evaluated in the MUFFIN-PTS trial 2.
- The results of the trial will provide more information on the effectiveness of Venixxa in improving symptoms and quality of life for patients with PTS.