A CASE-REPORT OF VENLAFAXINE TOXICITY

Venlafaxine hydrochloride is a novel bicyclic antidepressant which inh ibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and, to a lesser exten t, dopamine. A 41-year-old-female ingested 4.5 g venlafaxine, 500 mg d iphenhydramine, 50 mg thiothixene and subsequently experienced severe central nervous system depression requiring intubation. She also devel oped elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures and sinus tachyca rdia. The patient was decontaminated with gastric lavage and activated charcoal. She regained consciousness within a few hours and was extub ated nine hours after ingestion. This case demonstrates that severe ce ntral nervous system depression may follow venlafarine overdose.