Purpose: To determine the effectiveness and safety of venlafaxine in treating persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP).
Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort comprising 129 patients with a definite diagnosis of PIDP, who were treated with venlafaxine between May 2020 and December 2022 at three different institutions. Baseline characteristics were statistically described, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and during treatment were collected. The percentage of pain relief was calculated. Differences in baseline characteristics between responsive and unresponsive patients were evaluated. Additionally, side effects experienced during treatment were also summarized.
Results: Among the included patients, 4 suffered immediate side effects following the initial dose of venlafaxine and the treatment was discontinued. 104 (80.6%) patients achieved pain relief. VAS scores of responsive patients at weeks 2, and months 1, 2, and 3 were significantly lower than baseline (p< 0.001). Duration of pain was the only factor related to responsiveness (Wilcoxon rank sum test p< 0.001, logistic regression p=0.001). 64 patients (49.6%) suffered from mild side effects. No serious side effects were observed during the study.
Conclusion: Venlafaxine is potentially effective and safe in the management of PIDP. Early application of venlafaxine following the diagnoses of PIDP can result in a higher possibility of pain relief.
Keywords: venlafaxine, persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain, effectiveness, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, pain management