Low-dose venlafaxine-induced severe rhabdomyolysis: a case report.

Venlafaxine is a relatively new antidepressant with selective effects. Compared with traditional antidepressants, this agent has fewer adverse side effects. However, venlafaxine overdose has been reported with severe complications such as seizure, ventricular tachycardia, serotonin syndrome, neuroleptic malignant syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. We present a 21-year-old female with bipolar depression who took a low dose of venlafaxine, but subsequently developed severe rhabdomyolysis. Her plasma level of creatine kinase increased up to 18,711 U/L in few days. These findings may serve as a reminder to physicians to be alert to the possibility of rhabdomyolysis in patients who have only taken a low dose of venlafaxine.