From the Research
When treating anxiety alongside Effexor (venlafaxine), escitalopram is considered a viable add-on medication due to its efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms, as demonstrated in a recent randomized clinical trial 1.
Key Considerations
- The study found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was noninferior to escitalopram in reducing anxiety symptoms, suggesting that escitalopram can be an effective add-on treatment for anxiety alongside Effexor.
- Escitalopram is typically started at 10 mg daily and can be increased to 20 mg daily as needed.
- Other options, such as buspirone, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers, may also be considered, but escitalopram's efficacy and relatively favorable safety profile make it a strong candidate.
Important Factors to Consider
- The patient's specific anxiety symptoms, treatment history, and other medical conditions should be taken into account when selecting an add-on medication.
- Close monitoring by a healthcare provider is necessary to assess effectiveness and watch for potential side effects, such as serotonin syndrome, particularly when combining multiple serotonergic agents.
- The recent study 1 provides strong evidence for the efficacy of escitalopram in reducing anxiety symptoms, making it a recommended add-on medication for patients taking Effexor.