Venlafaxine and serious withdrawal symptoms: warning to drivers.
Venlafaxine is a widely used serotonin- and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor-type antidepressant that causes serious adverse effects in at least 5% of cases. Serious withdrawal symptoms may occur within hours of cessation or reduction of the usual dosage and may affect motor and coordination skills to such a degree that patients should be explicitly urged either to adhere to a strict medication routine or not to drive a car. Recent clinical evidence about withdrawal symptoms is presented that may indicate incidents in noradrenergic activity irrespective of dosage.
Campagne
Daniel M
DM
Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatments, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia, Faculty of Psychology, Madrid, Spain. danplaton@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride