Anxiety disorders are prevalent and associated with an increase in morbidity and 
mortality, particularly when present with additional psychiatric disorders. They 
represent a public health and economic burden, yet they are commonly 
underrecognized and undertreated. Benzodiazepines are effective anxiolytics, but 
they primarily treat the somatic symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), 
and are not effective in treating the depressive symptoms that are often 
comorbid in chronic anxiety disorders like GAD. Some antidepressants may 
therefore offer the best choice of therapy. Their benefit in the treatment of 
GAD has been demonstrated using the tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine, and 
some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The serotonin and norepinephrine 
reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine extended release (XR), has been indicated for GAD 
and has proven to be effective in both the short- and long-term treatment of 
patients with this disorder. Many patients treated with venlafaxine XR achieve 
and sustain remission from the symptoms of GAD, which is the goal of treatment.