Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2001 Mar;12(1):82-86.

A Case of Low dose Venlafaxine-Induced Hypertension

• Choi MS
• Chung SK

Abstract

Venlafaxine has a dose-dependant effect on blood pressure that is clinically significant at high dose. But the cases of hypertension associated with low dose venlafaxine have been rarely reported. We experienced a case of low dose venlafaxine-induced hypertension in a 53 year-old woman with major depressive disorder who has never been diagnosed as hypertension and other medical diseases. We started venlafaxine administration at a dose of 37.5 mg/day, and on the first day of venlafaxine administration, her blood pressure was abruptly elevated. Regardless of hypertension, venlafaxine was adjusted up to 112.5 mg/day for her depressive symptoms. Hypertension was continued, but not controlled by antihypertensive medication. We thought that she had a venlafaxine-induced hypertension, so we stopped this medication. Elevated blood pressure was normalized 2 days after stopping venlafaxine administration. Her blood pressure has been within normal range without antihypertensive medication for 9 months. So we report this case with the review of the literatures on the venlafaxine-induced hypertension.

Keyword

Venlafaxine; Hypertension; Side effect

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major
Female
Humans
Hypertension*
Middle Aged
Reference Values
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride