Healing With Venlafaxine After Injury (HELP)

Results from both animal and human studies suggest that treatment with the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) venlafaxine may reduce post-MVC pain. In addition, venlafaxine has been shown to be beneficial in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and in some patients PTSD symptoms may contribute to reinforcing pain persistence after trauma.

This phase IIB pilot trial will screen patients presenting to the ED after MVC for the presence of severe axial pain (>4 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale). Sixty of these "high risk" patients will be randomized to venlafaxine vs. placebo, and the ability of venlafaxine to decrease acute and persistent musculoskeletal axial pain will be assessed.

Results will be used to design a large-scale RCT assessing the efficacy of venlafaxine intervention in decreasing acute and persistent musculoskeletal pain in high-risk patients presenting to the ED after minor MVC.

Inclusion criteria

• Between the ages of 18 and 59
• Presents to ED within 24 hours of MVC
• ED axial pain score greater than or equal to 4 (0-10 NRS)
• Clinically sober
• Willing to provide a blood sample
• Has a telephone
• Has regular access to Internet and an email address
• Able to speak and read English
• Permanent US citizen or has a green card
• Blood pressure reading(s) in ED that, when considered in the context of patient past and current history, in the investigator's judgment does not exceed acceptable level

Exclusion criteria

• Axial pain score greater than 0 in the past month (0-10 NRS)
• Clinically unstable
• Fracture (other than fracture of the phalanges)
• Substantial soft tissue injury
• Hepatic failure (acute or chronic)
• Renal failure (acute or chronic)
• Coronary artery disease, including previous MI, Angina, PCTA, etc.
• History of glaucoma
• Previous congestive heart failure
• History of seizure disorder
• History of mania or psychotic disorder
• History of suicidal ideation
• Prisoner
• History and behavior indicates, in the investigator's judgment, that the participant would likely be noncompliant with the study
• Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would indicate that the patient in unsuitable for the study (e.g. might interfere with the study, confound interpretation, or endanger patient)
• Currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• Currently taking medication with substantial interaction with venlafaxine, or which could confound interpretation of study results
• Breastfeeding
• If female, either not postmenopausal (having menses within past year), or, if childbearing potential, positive pregnancy test prior to randomization and not using a medically acceptable form of contraception
• Exceeds acceptable chronic daily opioid use prior to MVC
• Previously on venlafaxine
• Previous allergic reaction to venlafaxine
• Antidepressant use within 2 weeks of study start (4 week if Prozac)