Venlafaxine and Delirium: Understanding the Association.

Abstract

Delirium represents a significant clinical, economic, and societal challenge, frequently arising in hospitalized patients due to multiple factors, including pharmacological triggers. Recognizing and preventing delirium is crucial to improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. This review focuses on the association between venlafaxine, a commonly used antidepressant, and delirium. We explore potential mechanisms, clinical presentations, and risk factors linked to venlafaxine-induced delirium, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness among clinicians. The findings underscore the importance of vigilance during drug initiation, dosage adjustment, or withdrawal to mitigate the risk of this neuropsychiatric condition.