Venlafaxine and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Elderly Depression

Title:Venlafaxine and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Elderly Depression

Volume: 7 Issue: 5

Author(s): Lucio Ghio, Serena Puppo and Andrea Presta

Affiliation:

Keywords: Antidepressant, adverse effect, elderly, prescribing practice, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, venlafaxine, depression, SSRI, SNRI, safety profile, elderly

Abstract: In the past 10 years there has been an emphasis on the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients taking SSRI antidepressants. Few studies have concurrently examined the possible risk of traditional antidepressants or atypical antidepressants such as venlafaxine, classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. In order to promote debate about possible risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients taking antidepressants different from SSRIs, we report a case of venlafaxine-induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a 84 years old woman. Discussion about safer drugs and protective factors is provided.

Cite this article as:

Ghio Lucio, Puppo Serena and Presta Andrea, Venlafaxine and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Elderly Depression, Current Drug Safety 2012; 7 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574886311207050012