CG22 Anxiety: Information for the public

NICE reaction to MHRA announcement on revised prescribing advice for venlafaxine

On 31 May 2006 the MHRA issued revised prescribing advice for venlafaxine. The advice can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk. NICE is actively considering the impact of this announcement by the MHRA on its clinical guidelines on depression and anxiety.  NICE has asked its National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health to establish an independent working group made up of representatives from the two groups who developed the original guidelines.  The working group will determine whether changes need to be made to a small number of recommendations about venlafaxine, and if so what those changes should be. The working group will be able to advise NICE within the next 3 - 4 months.  In the meantime, the NICE guidance on depression and anxiety continues to apply, and health professionals should take into account the MHRA's advice when interpreting the recommendations about venlafaxine.