Seizure resulting from a venlafaxine overdose.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of venlafaxine overdose.


METHODS
A 40-year-old woman with major depression took an overdose of venlafaxine in an apparent suicide attempt. After the ingestion of 26 venlafaxine 50-mg tablets, the patient experienced a witnessed generalized seizure. She was admitted to the medical intensive care unit, venlafaxine was discontinued, and no further sequelae were seen.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of venlafaxine overdose that resulted in a generalized seizure. Based on nonoverdose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of venlafaxine and the potential risks of available interventions, no emergent therapy was instituted.


CONCLUSIONS
The venlafaxine overdose in our patient resulted in a single episode of generalized seizure but elicited no further sequelae.
White
C M
CM
Drug Information Center, Hartford Hospital, CT 06102, USA.
Gailey
R A
RA
Levin
G M
GM
Smith
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000506:poisoning*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000009:adverse effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D010624:Phenelzine