Antidepressant Gets Safety Warning about Risk of Fatal Overdose

Reports of Overdose with Doses as Low as 1 Gram

Health Canada, and the manufacturers of venlafaxine extended-release (XR) capsules isssued a public advisory today regarding venlafaxine XR. The labeling is being updated to include safety information about the risks of overdose.

Venlafaxine is in a class of medicines called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and is used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (or social phobia) and panic disorder. Venlafaxine XR is sold in Canada under several brand names, including Effexor XR, Co Venlafaxine XR, Gen-Venlafaxine XR, Riva-Venlafaxine XR, Novo Venlafaxine XR, PMS- Venlafaxine XR, Ratio-Venlafaxine XR, Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

Data from previous, retroscpective studies have shown an increased risk for fatal outcomes associated with venlafaxine. More recently, post-marketing reports of fatal acute overdoses have been recieved for venlafaxine alone at doses as low as approximately 1 gram.

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Published on Oct-28-08