The efficacy of extended-release levomilnacipran in moderate to severe major depressive disorder: secondary and post-hoc analyses from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Levomilnacipran (1S, 2R-milnacipran) is a potent and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is Food and Drug Administration approved for once-daily treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Secondary and post-hoc analyses were carried out on data from a positive 10-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, proof-of-concept trial (EudraCT Number: 2006-002404-34) on 75 or 100 mg/day levomilnacipran extended release (ER). Included outpatients (18-70 years) met the criteria for a major depressive episode. There was a statistically significant difference in favor of levomilnacipran ER versus placebo in change from baseline to week 10 on every Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) single item (mixed-effects model for repeated measures; P<0.05) and most Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17) single items. Significantly more levomilnacipran ER versus placebo patients (P < 0.05) achieved 'complete' (MADRS ≤ 5; 24 vs. 10%) and 'sustained' (MADRS ≤ 10 in Weeks 4-10; 16 vs. 10%) remission, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) response (total score ≤ 12 and each item score ≤ 4; 52 vs. 35%) and remission (total score ≤ 6 and each item score ≤ 2; 26 vs. 17%), and combined symptomatic (MADRS) and functional (SDS) remission (19 vs. 8%). Treatment effects of similar magnitude were observed in the severe depression subgroup (MADRS ≥ 30). These results demonstrate the benefit of levomilnacipran ER over placebo for patients with symptomatic and functional impairment associated with major depressive disorder.

Efficacy and safety of levomilnacipran sustained release in moderate to severe major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of levomilnacipran sustained release (SR), an antidepressant candidate in late-stage development, in major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD: Between December 2006 and October 2007, a 10-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, flexible-dose trial assessed once-daily levomilnacipran SR (75 mg or 100 mg) in outpatients (18-70 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for a major depressive episode (duration ≥ 1 month) with a 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17) score > 22 and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) score ≥ 10. Levomilnacipran SR dose was increased to 100 mg/d over 12 days. The primary efficacy measure was Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score change from baseline to week 10; secondary efficacy measures were the HDRS17, SDS, Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale, and MADRS response (≥ 50% decrease from baseline) and remission (score ≤ 10). Safety was evaluated according to adverse events, laboratory investigations, and vital signs/physical findings. RESULTS: Efficacy analyses included 276 levomilnacipran SR-treated patients and 277 placebo-treated patients. Levomilnacipran SR was significantly superior to placebo on MADRS total score change from baseline to week 10 (least squares mean difference [LSMD] = -4.2 [95% CI, -5.7 to -2.6]; P < .0001). Statistical significance in favor of levomilnacipran SR was demonstrated on change from baseline to week 10 in HDRS17 total score (LSMD = -3.4 [95% CI, -4.7 to -2.2]; P < .0001) and SDS total score (LSMD = -3.4 [95% CI, -4.6 to -2.2]; P < .0001) and subscales. Significantly more levomilnacipran SR patients versus placebo patients achieved MADRS response (59.1% vs 42.2%; P < .0001) and remission (46.4% vs 26.0%; P < .0001). Levomilnacipran SR was generally safe and well tolerated; more levomilnacipran SR patients (9.4%) versus placebo patients (6.5%) discontinued due to adverse events, but more placebo patients versus levomilnacipran SR patients discontinued overall (24.9% vs 20.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Levomilnacipran SR demonstrated robust efficacy on all measures and was generally well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT number: 2006-002404-34