Dramatic recovery of paclitaxel-disabling neurosensory toxicity following treatment with venlafaxine.
Venlafaxine is an antidepressant which acts through the inhibition of the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Venlafaxine is active against neuropathic and chronic pain. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented a paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. She presented paresthesias, pin pricks in both hands with functional impairment. Venlafaxine hydrochloride was introduced at 37.5 mg twice daily. The patient noticed a dramatic recovery of her symptoms within 2 days, with both reduction of the paresthesias and functional improvement. This is the first report of efficacious use of venlafaxine for the treatment of paclitaxel cumulative neurosensory toxicity.
Unité d'Oncologie Médicale, Service de Médecine Interne 1, Groupe Hospitalier Cochin, AP-HP, 75679 Paris, France.
Jean-Philippe
JP
Durand
François
F
Goldwasser
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D017239:Paclitaxel