VENLAFAXINE - INDUCED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE: A CASE REPORT

MANAPPALLIL ROBIN, SABIR CHELAKKOTH, KUMAR PRAVEEN, VALSALA NANDINI

ABSTRACT

Interstitial lung diseases are chronic conditions characterized by fibrosis of the interstitial tissue of the lungs. The spectrum of aetiology is wide, with certain drugs being one of them. Certain antipsychiatry medications have been reported to cause lung toxicities. Venlafaxine is a drug that is used for the treatment of depression. The conditions like asthma and eosinophilic pneumonia have been observed as adverse effects following venlafaxine therapy. The patient being reported is a case of major depressive disorder and was on long term treatment with venlafaxine. She developed chronic cough and dyspnoea and was diagnosed to have interstitial lung disease. Drug induced interstitial lung disease is a rare adverse effect of venlafaxine. This case, hence, highlights the consideration of venlafaxine as a cause for drug induced interstitial lung disease, as well as its cautious use in the management of psychiatric patients with underlying lung disorders.

Keywords: Venlafaxine, Selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, interstitial lung disease