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- Title
A Comparison of Venlafaxine and SSRIs in Deliberate Self-poisoning.
- Authors
Chan, Agnes N.; Gunja, Naren; Ryan, Christopher J.
- Abstract
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.
- Subjects
VENLAFAXINE; SEROTONIN uptake inhibitors; SELF-poisoning; HOSPITAL emergency services; DRUG overdose; SUICIDAL behavior; COHORT analysis
- Publication
Journal of Medical Toxicology, 2010, Vol 6, Issue 2, p116
- ISSN
1556-9039
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s13181-010-0013-x