Hypertension and orthostatic hypotension with venlafaxine treatment in depressed older adults

Background: Venlafaxine, a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is often used as first- or second-line therapy for depression in older adults. It can be associated with adverse blood pressure (BP) effects. Methods: Adults ⩾60 years of age in a current major depressive episode were treated in a protocolized manner with venlafaxine XR; 429 participants were treated for 8–16 weeks with a daily dose up to 300 mg to achieve remission from depression. Cardiac measures included sitting and standing BP and heart rate. Results: Of participants who were normotensive at baseline, 6.5% were found to have elevated BP during the study (1.9% '225 mg/day; 9.8% ⩾225 mg/day). There was no significant change in mean BP in the overall sample, or in the subgroup treated with doses ⩾225 mg/day. Additionally, 20.1% of the participants who did not have orthostatic hypotension at baseline were found to have orthostatic hypotension (16.8% '225 mg/day; 22.4% ⩾225 mg/day). Participants with new-onset orthostatic hypotension were significantly more likely to fall than the other participants. Conclusion: A large proportion of older adults treated with venlafaxine experience orthostatic hypotension, putting them at risk for falls. A smaller proportion experience elevated BP. Older patients prescribed venlafaxine, particularly at high doses, should be advised and counseled about these adverse effects.