Posted by SalArmy4me on August 3, 2001, at 8:55:14
Pierre, Joseph M. MD. Guze, Barry H. MD. Benztropine for Venlafaxine-Induced Night Sweats. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 20(2):269, April 2000:
"The mechanism of venlafaxine-induced sweating is unclear, but presumably involves increased norepinephrine, stimulating both the preganglionic sympathetic cholinergic fibers innervating the sweat glands and the subpopulation of [beta]-adrenergic receptors on the glands themselves.3 Ms. B.'s initial relief provided by benztropine is consistent with cholinergic blockade in the sweat glands, as suggested in a previously reported case of benztropine for venlafaxine-induced sweating.4 Ms. B.'s eventual development of tolerance to benz-tropine may represent inadequate cholinergic blockade to counter the noradrenergic effects of several weeks of venlafaxine dosed at 375 mg/day. One wonders whether an increase in her low dose of benztropine would have been helpful. Despite her sensitivity to the side effects of both benztropine (dry mouth) and venlafaxine (night sweats), which ultimately prompted a switch to another antidepressant altogether, benztropine seemed to have a temporizing benefit for Ms. B. that enabled her to tolerate several weeks of receiving a maximal dose of venlafaxine. The addition of benz-tropine for venlafaxine-induced night sweats may therefore facilitate administration of venlafaxine at potentially therapeutic doses for patients with this side effect..."
poster:SalArmy4me
thread:73288
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73288.html