Venlafaxine is a drug that is often prescribed for the treatment of depression. If a person takes too much of this medication, he could experience a variety of overdose symptoms, including extreme fatigue and changes in his heart rate. For example, his heartbeat may become faster or slower than normal. An individual who has taken too much of this medicine might also experience an abnormally low blood pressure or develop vertigo, which is a feeling of dizziness or spinning. In extreme cases, seizures, coma, and liver damage may result as well. An individual could even die as a result of an overdose of this medication.
When a person has taken a venlafaxine overdose, the most common sign of trouble is that he will seem extremely tired and sleepy. In some cases, the drowsiness can affect a person so much that he has trouble staying awake, even if he is engaged in some type of activity. For example, he could fall asleep during a conversation, while sitting in a chair, or while driving. The fact that the sleepiness is so pronounced may go a long way toward alerting an observer that the affected person is experiencing a problem.
Changes in one's vital signs are also among the most common indications of a venlafaxine overdose. For example, an individual who has taken too much of this medication may suffer a decrease in blood pressure. Small decreases might not represent much of a problem, but extreme decreases can threaten the patient's life. Additionally, a person who has suffered an overdose could experience changes in his heart rate. His heart may begin to beat faster than normal or slow to an abnormally low rate, both of which can become medical emergencies.
Sometimes a person who is experiencing a venlafaxine overdose will also suffer from confusion or blurred vision. Some people also develop symptoms of vertigo or vomit because of it. An individual may even have seizures after taking an overdose of this antidepressant drug.
The symptoms of a venlafaxine overdose can be more than just unpleasant side effects. In some cases, they can prove to be life-threatening as well. For instance, a person with this condition might lapse into a coma because of the overdose or even suffer liver damage. If the overdose is extreme, or if it occurs far from skilled medical care, it can lead to the death of the affected person.