Venlafaxine dependence in a patient with a history of alcohol and amineptine misuse.
BACKGROUND
Venlafaxine is an inhibitor of neuronal serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake and a weak inhibitor of dopamine re-uptake. There was no indication of problems of abuse/dependence during the clinical trials.


METHODS
A 53-year-old client with a history of alcohol and amineptine misuse and a long history of recurrent depression, for which he was prescribed venlafaxine tablets. Over time, he increased the dosage to 50 tablets daily (3750 mg). Large venlafaxine dosages produced amphetamine-like effects, due possibly to the related increase in dopamine turnover. Once hospitalized for detoxification, the patient had a symptomatology which was consistent with a serotonergic discontinuation syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians should be aware that patients with a history of drug and alcohol abuse might develop venlafaxine dependence.
Quaglio
Gianluca
G
Medical Service for Addictive Disorders, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Verona, Italy. gianluca.quaglio@azosp.vr.it
Schifano
Fabrizio
F
Lugoboni
Fabio
F
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D055553:Prescription Drugs; C011597:amineptin; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D004221:Disulfiram