Abstract
Venlafaxine is a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is believed to have no abuse potential. Currently, 2 published case reports argue against this notion. This article describes a third case of venlafaxine abuse and the first in the literature on a patient with schizophrenia. This article will also review the literature on venlafaxine abuse and propose a pharmacological explanation for its abuse potential. Healthcare practitioners need to be cautious when prescribing venlafaxine and other neuromodulatory medications.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / administration & dosage
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / adverse effects
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / pharmacology*
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Anxiety Disorders / complications
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Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy
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Cyclohexanols / administration & dosage
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Cyclohexanols / adverse effects
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Cyclohexanols / pharmacology*
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Drug-Seeking Behavior
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Schizophrenia / complications*
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Schizophrenia / drug therapy
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Schizophrenic Psychology*
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Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
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Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
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Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
Substances
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
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Cyclohexanols
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Venlafaxine Hydrochloride