title: Venlafaxine as the 'baby ecstasy'? Literature overview and analysis of web-based misusers' experiences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Venlafaxine is one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants worldwide, despite its toxicity risk in overdose. Furthermore, the molecule has been recently identified at the EU-wide level as one of the novel psychoactive substances. This paper aims at investigating the potential of misuse, taking into account both the existing literature and the analysis of the misusers' experiences as described in venlafaxine misuse web reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Medline. Posts/threads relating to venlafaxine misuse issues were identified through Google® and Yahoo® English-language searches. Resulting websites' data were then qualitatively assessed, and information was collected on a range of issues, including dosage, drug intake modalities, untoward drug effects, and association with other recreational drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A few literature case reports focusing on venlafaxine as a misusing drug were here identified. The molecule was here typically ingested or snorted at dosages up to 10-15 times higher than those clinically advised, obtaining MDMA/amphetamine-like stimulant and psychedelic effects. Polydrug misuse was commonly reported. Venlafaxine appeared to be widely available online for sale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians should carefully evaluate patients for history of drug dependence and observe them for signs of venlafaxine misuse.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.|School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Francesconi
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.|School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6882-3770
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Orsolini
authors.affiliation: Medical School of Trieste, Italy.|School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Duccio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papanti
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Corkery
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schifano
mesh_terms: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062787:Drug Overdose; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
keywords: abuse; addiction; misuse; prescription drugs; venlafaxine