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Antidepressant Effexor Poses
Fatal Overdose Risk
Effexor, the world’s most lucrative antidepressant has been found to
pose a risk of overdose and even death in patients taking the drug.
Effexor is for the treatment of major depressive disorder, and is most
frequently prescribed for patients with symptoms of depression,
generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder.
In October 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned doctors to
prescribe Effexor in the smallest possible quantities, to reduce the
risk of overdose. In a letter to health-care providers, Wyeth, the maker
of Effexor (venlafaxine HCI), stated that death had been reported from
overdose of the drug. The letter was posted on the FDA Web site, and
requested that doctors prescribe low doses “consistent with good patient
management.”
Wyeth's warning letter did not disclose how many Effexor
overdose cases had been reported. The most commonly reported Effexor
overdose effects include fast heart rate, changes in consciousness
(ranging from sleepiness to coma), seizures, vomiting, and eye pupil
dilation.
The letter also notes that death, electrocardiogram (EKG) changes, slow
heart rhythms, low blood pressure, vertigo, toxic buildup of chemicals
from dying muscle cells, and liver cell death have also been reported
with Effexor overdoses.
The label revision was also made to the extended-release version of
Effexor, known as Effexor XR. The new label notes published studies
showing that Effexor's risk of fatal overdoses may be higher than the
class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs). The label also notes that the fatal-overdose risk is
lower than that of older depression drugs called tricyclic
antidepressants.
SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, and Zoloft. Tricyclic
antidepressants include Elavil and Norpramin.
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EFFEXOR ANTIDEPRESSANT
OVERDOSE
ATTORNEYS LISTINGS |
Effexor Antidepressant Overdoes News &
Lawyer Updates
Doctors warned of Effexor overdose risk
CNN.com - October 25, 2006
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Doctors should limit the
number of Effexor pills they prescribe patients to reduce the risk of
overdose, the antidepressant's manufacturer and federal health officials
said Wednesday.
Effexor overdoses reported to FDA, Wyeth
Chron.com - October
25, 2006
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration today urged doctors to prescribe the popular
anti-depressant Effexor in the smallest possible quantities to reduce
the risk of overdose.
Doctors warned of overdose risk associated with antidepressant Effexor
Eyewitness News 9 - October
25, 2006
(AP) - A drug company and federal health officials
are advising doctors to limit the number of pills they prescribe for the
antidepressant Effexor.
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