Cardiovascular effects of high dose venlafaxine XL in patients with major depressive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To assess cardiovascular safety profile of high dose Venlafaxine XL in patients with major depression.


METHODS
Effects of high dose venlafaxine (mean 346.15 mg;) on the cardiovascular system in 37 patients with major depressive disorder were evaluated: BP, ECG (PR, QT, QRSD and QTc intervals) and heart rate.


RESULTS
12.5% of patients developed hypertension after starting treatment with venlafaxine. There was an association between heart rate and the dose of venlafaxine although not statistically significant. There was no association between dose of venlafaxine and PR, QT, QRSD and QTc intervals. One patient on 300 mg who was hypertensive and on other medications that may prolong QTc, had mildly prolonged QTc. However this was not clinically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
This study of subjects on high dose venlafaxine (mean 346.15 mg; range 225-525 mg) did not demonstrate any clinical or statistically significant effects on electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters including PR, QT, QRSD and QTc interval.
Mbaya
Patrick
P
Department of Psychiatry, Laureate House, South Manchester University Hospital, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK. patrickmbaya@hotmail.co.uk
Alam
Faouzi
F
Ashim
Sindhu
S
Bennett
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride