An indirect comparison of the efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine using placebo as the common comparator.

Background: This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine at the Australian approved doses.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify all placebo-controlled studies of desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine in the treatment of major depression. The pivotal outcome measure used to assess comparative efficacy was the mean change in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17 score from baseline.