A Case of Venlafaxine Abuse

Abstract

Describes a case of venlafaxine abuse in a 38-yr-old man who presented to the emergency department with chest pain. The patient reported a history of major depression and of amphetamine dependence in remission. He saw a psychiatrist, who prescribed extended-release venlafaxine at a dose of 225 mg per day. The patient increased his daily dose to 337.5 mg by taking one and a half pills, an amount that produced a sudden, amphetamine-like 'high.' He started ingesting crushed venlafaxine at doses of up to 3,600 mg per day. It is noted that most patients do not abuse venlafaxine. However, when treating patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse, physicians should consider the potential of venlafaxine for abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)