Premium
Venlafaxine dependence in a patient with a history of alcohol and amineptine misuse
Author(s) -
Quaglio Gianluca,
Schifano Fabrizio,
Lugoboni Fabio
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02266.x
Subject(s) - venlafaxine , discontinuation , medicine , serotonergic , serotonin syndrome , psychiatry , venlafaxine hydrochloride , anesthesia , psychology , addiction , pharmacology , serotonin , antidepressant , anxiety , receptor
Background Venlafaxine is an inhibitor of neuronal serotonin and noradrenaline re‐uptake and a weak inhibitor of dopamine re‐uptake. There was no indication of problems of abuse/dependence during the clinical trials. Case description A 53‐year‐old client with a history of alcohol and amineptine misuse and a long history of recurrent depression, for which he was prescribed venlafaxine tablets. Over time, he increased the dosage to 50 tablets daily (3750 mg). Large venlafaxine dosages produced amphetamine‐like effects, due possibly to the related increase in dopamine turnover. Once hospitalized for detoxification, the patient had a symptomatology which was consistent with a serotonergic discontinuation syndrome. Conclusions Physicians should be aware that patients with a history of drug and alcohol abuse might develop venlafaxine dependence.