Psychiatria Danubina, Vol. 23. No. 1., 2011.
Conference paper
VENLAFAXINE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME
Vladimir Sabljić
; University Psychiatric Clinic Rijeka, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Klementina Ružić
; University Psychiatric Clinic Rijeka, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Radmir Rakun
; Psychiatric Hospital Lopača, Rijeka, Croatia, Croatia
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.
Keywords
venlafaxine; withdrawal syndrome; dual-action antidepressants
Hrčak ID:
76803
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2011.
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