A comparison of venlafaxine and SSRIs in deliberate self-poisoning.
To compare the clinical features of deliberate self-poisoning with venlafaxine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) presenting to the emergency department of an Australian tertiary referral hospital. A retrospective cohort study comparing all 36 patients who presented with venlafaxine self-poisoning with 44 randomly selected patients with SSRI self-poisoning between 1997 and 2006. Patients who had overdosed on venlafaxine were older (mean age 37.4 versus 28.8 years, p ≤ 0.001) and generally exhibited a higher degree of suicidal intent (p ≤ 0.017). Median venlafaxine dose taken was 35 defined daily doses (DDDs) compared with SSRIs 19.4 DDDs. Those who ingested venlafaxine were more likely to become confused (25% versus 0%; p = 0) and have mydriasis (19.4% versus 2%; p ≤ 0.02), than those who took SSRIs. One patient from the venlafaxine group died. Compared with SSRI self-poisoners, patients who deliberately ingested venlafaxine were more likely to exhibit serious suicide intent. They were also more likely to be older, take a higher DDD of the drug, and have confusion and mydriasis. This has implications for management of severely depressed and suicidal patients.
Consultation- Liaison Psychiatry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia. agnes.chan@email.cs.nsw.gov.au
Agnes N
AN
Chan
Naren
N
Gunja
Christopher J
CJ
Ryan
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000506:poisoning*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride