Venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome.

Abstract

Dual-action antidepressants serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SRNIs) are widely used to treat depression. Owing to its efficiency and safety, venlafaxine holds a prominent place in this group of depressants. Abrupt venlafaxine discontinuation involves a high risk of withdrawal syndrome. Mechanism of its development is similar to that of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but of higher intensity. Venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms may include several somatic symptoms as well as several psychiatric symptoms. In some cases, symptoms may look like a stroke. A treatment option is re-inclusion of venlafaxine or a SSRI antidepressant. The paper presents the case of a 70-year-old patient who discontinued of her own accord to take venlafaxine, which she had been taking regularly at a daily dose of 225 mg for more than a year. A few hours after taking the last dose, withdrawal syndrome occurred with severe symptoms resembling a stroke. The patient was examined by a neurologist and the CT and laboratory parameters showed no irregularities. Diagnosis was made after psychiatric observation. Venlafaxine, 150 mg per day, was prescribed, the symptoms disappeared relatively quickly, and the patient fully recovered. Withdrawal syndrome is a real risk for each venlafaxine treated patient. The possibility of its occurrence should be always kept in mind and patients should be timely informed about it. In this way, the risk of venlafaxine withdraw syndrome could be reduced, unnecessary stress to patients prevented and the costs of medical treatment lowered.

• Authors: Vladimir Sabljić, Klementina Ružić, Radmir Rakun
• Journal: Psychiatria Danubina (Psychiatr Danub) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 117-9 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 0353-5053 [Print] Croatia
• PMID: 21448114 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
• Cyclohexanols
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Topics

• Aged
• Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cyclohexanols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy, psychology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Ischemic Attack, Transient (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Retreatment
• Stroke (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride