Conduction Disturbances Associated with Venlafaxine
Authors: Alain Combes, Gilles Peytavin, David Théron
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2001)

Letters16 January 2001Conduction Disturbances Associated with VenlafaxineAlain Combes, MD, Gilles Peytavin, MD, and David Théron, MDAlain Combes, MDHôpital Bichat; 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France (Combes, Peytavin, Théron)Search for more papers by this author, Gilles Peytavin, MDHôpital Bichat; 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France (Combes, Peytavin, Théron)Search for more papers by this author, and David Théron, MDHôpital Bichat; 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France (Combes, Peytavin, Théron)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-134-2-200101160-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Venlafaxine is a new antidepressant drug that inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. In clinical trials, venlafaxine was found to be safe and effective (1). However, substantial changes in vital signs (hypertension and hypotension) (2) and cardiac rhythm abnormalities (3) have been observed in a few patients, notably the elderly. We describe a case of venlafaxine-associated conduction disturbances that were reversed after administration of sodium bicarbonate.A 44-year-old woman took an overdose of venlafaxine (3 g), clonazepam (20 mg), lormetazepam (24 mg), and thioridazine (10 mg). She was intubated and admitted to our medical intensive care unit. Gastric ...References1. Rudolph RL, Derivan AT. The safety and tolerability of venlafaxine hydrochloride: analysis of the clinical trials database. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1996; 16:54S-59S; discussion 59S-61S. [PMID: 0008784648] Google Scholar2. Feighner JP. Cardiovascular safety in depressed patients: focus on venlafaxine. J Clin Psychiatry. 1995;56:574-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. Peano C, Leikin JB, Hanashiro PK. Seizures, ventricular tachycardia, and rhabdomyolysis as a result of ingestion of venlafaxine and lamotrigine. Ann Emerg Med. 1997;30:704-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Khalifa M, Daleau P, Turgeon AJ. Mechanism of sodium channel block by venlafaxine in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999;291:280-4. MedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Hôpital Bichat; 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France (Combes, Peytavin, Théron) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited bySodium BicarbonateSerotonergic AntidepressantsSodium BicarbonateSerotonergic AntidepressantsKonsiliar- und LiaisonpsychiatrieVenlafaxine and desvenlafaxineAcute Settings and Conditions: Intensive Care Unit, Heart Disease, Stroke, SeizuresChanges in cardiovascular function after venlafaxine but not pregabalin in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of orthostatic challenge, blood pressure and heart rateThe anesthetized guinea pig: An effective early cardiovascular derisking and lead optimization modelTranslation of flecainide- and mexiletine-induced cardiac sodium channel inhibition and ventricular conduction slowing from nonclinical models to clinicalCardiogenic shock associated with reversible dilated cardiomyopathy during therapy with regular doses of venlafaxinePharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic, Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, and Electrocardiographic Effects of Dapoxetine and Moxifloxacin Compared With Placebo in Healthy Adult Male SubjectsElectrocardiogram changes and arrhythmias in venlafaxine overdosePolypharmazie in der Konsiliar-und LiaisonpsychiatrieANTIDEPRESSANTSDepressive und Angststörungen bei somatischen KrankheitenDiagnostik und Psychopharmakotherapie depressiver Erkrankungen bei Herz-Kreislauf-Patienten vor konsiliarpsychiatrischem HintergrundThe QT interval and psychotropic medications in childrenAcute heart failure associated with venlafaxine poisoningLack of significant toxicity after mirtazapine overdose: A five-year review of cases admitted to a regional toxicology unitCardioversion of Persistent Atrial Arrhythmia After Treatment With Venlafaxine in Successful Management of Major Depression and Posttraumatic Stress DisorderQT interval prolongation associated with venlafaxine administrationVenlafaxineDual serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors: Focus on their differencesSNRIs: The Pharmacology, Clinical Efficacy, and Tolerability in Comparison with Other Classes of AntidepressantsMonoaminergic‐based Pharmacotherapy for DepressionTreatment of Anxiety and Depression in Transplant PatientsBrugada syndrome and “Brugada sign”: Clinical spectrum with a guide for the clinicianAntidepressant drugsVenlafaxine overdosePolypharmazie in der Konsiliar- und Liaisonpsychiatrie 16 January 2001Volume 134, Issue 2Page: 166-167KeywordsAntidepressantsBicarbonatesElectrocardiographyMedical intensive care unitsNorepinephrineRight bundle branch blockSerotoninSodiumToxicityVital signs ePublished: 16 January 2001 Issue Published: 16 January 2001 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2001 by American College of Physicians. 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