Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2008 Jan;19(1):53-57.

A Case Report of Hyponatremia Associated with Venlafaxine HCL in an Elderly Patient

• You JI
• Choi YM

Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that hyponatremia can be associated with antidepressants, and venlafaxine is a widely used serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that has been reported to induce this electrolyte abnormality. A 76-year-old female patient was observed to have hyponatremia after an increase in the dosage of venlafaxine from 37.5 mg to 75 mg a day. Her electrolyte level normalized after the venlafaxine therapy was discontinued, but the abnormality recurred after therapy was resumed. A few case reports of hyponatremia associated with venlafaxine can be found in the literature. While the present case is consistent with previous reports, it is still remarkable due to the rapid development of the hyponatremia, which was 2 days in this patient versus several weeks in the other reported cases. Therefore, special attention is required for the use of venlafaxine, especially in elderly psychiatric patients and patients with a previous brain lesion.

Keyword

Hyponatremia; Venlafaxine

MeSH Terms

Aged
Antidepressive Agents
Brain
Cyclohexanols
Female
Humans
Hyponatremia
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
Antidepressive Agents
Cyclohexanols
Norepinephrine
Serotonin