Venlafaxine-induced urinary incontinence resolved after switching to sertraline.
Clinical neuropharmacology 2005 Sep 1; 28(5):247-8
Polimeni G G, Salvo F F, Cutroneo P P, Nati G G, Russo A A, Giustini E ES, Spina E E
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Italy. gpolimeni@unime.it
The authors report a case of urinary incontinence (UI) that occurred in a woman after administration of venlafaxine. UI resolved after discontinuation of the drug and did not reappear after switching to sertraline therapy. A 56-year-old white woman with a diagnosis of reactive depression developed severe UI after a 30 days' treatment with venlafaxine 75 mg/day. Symptoms resolved without consequence 48 hours after discontinuation of venlafaxine. The patient was then treated with sertraline without experiencing any incontinence episodes. Urinary incontinence is an important medical condition with clinical and social implications. Further studies need to be carried out to clarify the pharmacologic differences between dual and selective 5-HT and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors on lower urinary tract function.