Research article summary (published 28 Feb 2008):

An investigation of the effect of immediate and extended release venlafaxine on nocturnal melatonin and cortisol release in healthy adult volunteers.

Full Abstract

The secretion of the hormone melatonin is particularly robust to the effect of pharmacological agents. Medications may alter melatonin levels through either altering adrenergic activity or affecting liver enzymes involved in melatonin metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of venlafaxine, a third generation antidepressant with known adrenergic properties on melatonin secretion. A further aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between plasma and salivary measures on this medication. Eight healthy adult participants (four males, four females) took part in this double blind placebo controlled randomised trial. Participants were tested on 3 nights after taking venlafaxine XR (75 mg), venlafaxine IR (75 mg) or placebo. Participants were placed in a darkened room between 1900 and 0300 h and regular temperature readings, blood and saliva samples were drawn to assess melatonin and cortisol secretion in each condition. There was no significant effect of venlafaxine IR or XR on melatonin concentrations in plasma or saliva and no effects on other circadian parameters including cortisol and temperature. It was notable that the correlation between plasma and salivary melatonin levels became poor after drug treatment. These results indicate that at low doses the mixed serotonergic and noradrenergic drug venlafaxine has no effect on nocturnal melatonin concentrations. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Author information

Author/s: Hallam, Karen T (KT); Begg, Denovan P (DP); Olver, James S (JS); Norman, Trevor R (TR);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Australia. khallam(-atsign-)unimelb.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Human psychopharmacology (Hum Psychopharmacol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Mar; vol 23 (issue 2) : pp 129-37

Dates: Created 2008/02/25; Completed 2008/03/14;

PMID: 18172907, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation - administration & dosage; pharmacology Body Temperature - drug effects Circadian Rhythm - physiology Cyclohexanols - administration & dosage; pharmacology Delayed-Action Preparations Double-Blind Method Female

Female Humans Hydrocortisone - blood; secretion Male Melatonin - blood; secretion Saliva - chemistry Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; pharmacology Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (0) ; Cyclohexanols (0) ; Delayed-Action Preparations (0) ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (0) ; Hydrocortisone (50-23-7) ; Melatonin (73-31-4) ; venlafaxine (93413-69-5)

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