venlafaxine XR + aripiprazole

Venlafaxine XR + aripiprazole is a combination therapy consisting of two pharmaceutical agents used primarily in the management of major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly in cases resistant to monotherapy. Venlafaxine extended-release (XR) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that increases synaptic concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting their reuptake. Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic that acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, and as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. This combination has been studied for its efficacy in treatment-resistant depression, chronic or recurrent MDD, and has also shown benefit in elderly patients with hard-to-treat depression. The regimen typically involves starting with venlafaxine XR followed by the addition of aripiprazole after initial titration[1][2][3][4][5]. The combination may also be considered for other psychiatric conditions such as excoriation disorder when standard treatments are ineffective[7].

Brand names

Effexor XRAbilify

Other names

venlafaxine extended-release + aripiprazolevenlafaxine XR and aripiprazole combination