Desvenlafaxine-Induced Interstitial Pneumonitis: A Case Report

Abstract

A 52-year-old man developed interstitial pneumonitis during treatment with desvenlafaxine for major depressive disorder. The man received desvenlafaxine at 50 mg for symptoms of depression 4 years earlier. Six months after a dose increase to 100 mg, he developed bronchitic symptoms with mild, persistent dyspnea. Investigations revealed a restrictive pattern on pulmonary function testing, bilateral upper lobe reticular opacities with traction bronchiectasis on radiology imaging, and end-stage interstitial fibrosis with honeycomb changes consistent with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis on open lung biopsy. He was diagnosed with drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis. Desvenlafaxine was discontinued and the patient received prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil. The patient had subsequent stability in the progression of his pulmonary disease after 1 month. After 1 year of drug discontinuation and treatment, his disease process remained, but without major progression. A Naranjo assessment score of 4 was obtained, indicating a possible relationship between the patient’s adverse drug reaction and his use of the suspect drug.

Key Points

There are no previous reports of interstitial pneumonitis due to desvenlafaxine despite being listed as an adverse drug reaction in the package insert.

Our case describes the attempted treatment for desvenlafaxine-induced interstitial pneumonitis and a comparison of known cases of venlafaxine-induced interstitial pneumonitis in the literature.

Introduction

Desvenlafaxine was introduced in 2008 as a once-a-day, single-dose, synthetic formulation of a major active metabolite of venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Venlafaxine-associated pulmonary toxicities are rare, and incidences are unknown despite widespread global use of the drug. There have only been a handful of cases of venlafaxine-induced interstitial pneumonitis since it became available on the market in 1993, with the condition currently being listed as a rare adverse effect in the drug safety literature. However, there is currently no established link between pulmonary toxicity and derivatives of the drug. We report a case of drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis believed to be associated with desvenlafaxine.

Case Summary

A 52-year-old Caucasian male with a past medical history significant for obstructive sleep apnea treated via continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and a remote history of right-sided viral pneumonia with adenopathy and hypoxemia 4–5 years prior presented with complaints of bronchitic symptoms and mild, persistent dyspnea over the past several months. He denied postnasal drip or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related signs and symptoms. He had a distant smoking history of less than 10 pack-years, quitting 24 years prior. He worked a desk job at a glass-cutting factory, with exposures around 100 yards from his office consisting of silicate dust, wood dust from free-made crates, and heavy walnut flour used as packaging. Physical examination was only notable for very soft, low-pitched bibasilar wheezing with forced expiratory maneuver only. Pulmonary function testing found a newly developed restrictive pattern (Table 1). A chest X-ray showed diffuse bilateral small micronodular interstitial infiltrates without honeycombing; distinctly different from previous imaging years ago.

Table 1.

Pulmonary function trend

PFTs	3 years prior	On presentation	1 month after Tx	1 year after Tx
FVC	5.2 (101%)	3.53 (69%)	3.43 (68%)	3.14 (62%)
FEV1	4.35 (108%)	2.98 (76%)	3.1 (80%)	2.53 (65%)
FEV1/FVC	78%	77%	77%	77%
FEF 25–75%	5 (127%)	4.3 (127%)	4.42 (131%)	2.36 (71%)
SVC	5.01 (100%)	3.38 (67%)	3.27 (65%)	–
RV (Pleth)	–	1.26 (59%)	1.19 (56%)	–
TLC (Pleth)	–	4.64 (66%)	4.46 (63%)	–
DLCOunc	68%	36%	49%	–

DLCOunc diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, uncorrected (percent predicted), FEF 25–75% forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity [liters per second (percent predicted)], FEV₁ forced expiratory volume in 1 s [liters (percent predicted)], FEV₁/FVC ratio of forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (%), FVC forced vital capacity [liters (percent predicted)], PFT pulmonary function test, RV (Pleth) residual volume via plethysmography [liters (percent predicted)], SVC slow vital capacity [liters (percent predicted)], TLC (Pleth) total lung capacity via plethysmography [liters (percent predicted)], Tx treatment

He was initially given a high-dose inhaled corticosteroid–long-acting beta-agonist combination inhaler for possible hypersensitivity bronchitis. A computed tomography (CT) chest scan showed a pattern of bilateral upper lobe mosaic attenuation and diffuse bibasilar predominant ground-glass and peripheral reticular opacities with faint traction bronchiectasis suggesting non-specific interstitial pneumonia or possible hypersensitivity pneumonitis (Fig. 1). Repeat spirometry was largely unchanged. Open lung biopsy of the right middle and lower lobes via video-assisted thoracoscopy revealed end-stage interstitial fibrosis with honeycomb changes, fibroblastic foci, and patchy chronic inflammatory infiltrate with lymphoid follicles presumed to be chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Fig. 1.

CT chest scan at presentation. CT computed tomography

Re-review of the patient’s environmental and occupational exposures and medication list (which included levothyroxine, omeprazole, glucosamine-chondroitin, fish oil, and a multivitamin with iron) found a temporal correlation between the onset of symptoms and the patient having his desvenlafaxine dose increased from 50 mg orally (PO) daily to 100 mg 6 months prior to presentation. He had started on desvenlafaxine 4 years before. This medication was immediately discontinued 6 months after presentation, and prednisone was then started at 10 mg daily with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis, which aided in improvement of symptoms. Dyspnea was noted only when ambulating uphill and with brisk exercise. A mild cough remained, however, related to seasonal allergies. Bibasilar rales were noted on exam. Repeat pulmonary function testing a month after starting steroids showed minimal improvement (Table 1). Repeat high-resolution CT chest continued to show bilateral upper lobe and basilar predominant disease with interstitial changes and some peripheral honeycomb effects.

Two months later, the patient was started on mycophenolate mofetil 1500 mg PO twice daily (BID) with a slow taper of steroids of 1-year duration. During this time, the patient was evaluated at a tertiary university medical center with an interstitial lung disease clinic, where a connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease was ruled out, but they could not definitively rule in a drug-induced process. Despite discontinuation of the possible inciting medication and treatment with immunosuppressing agents without further changes in environmental or occupational exposures, the disease process was deemed already advanced by the time it was discovered. The patient felt that his breathing was slightly worse, but not debilitating. Repeat pulmonary function testing and CT imaging (Fig. 2) demonstrated a slowing of the progression of disease, but notable subtle worsening. The patient is currently being considered as a potential candidate for anti-fibrotic therapy with nintedanib in the future.

Fig. 2.

CT chest scan 1 year after treatment with mycophenolate 1500 mg PO BID and prednisone 10 mg PO daily. BID twice daily, CT computed tomography, PO oral

Discussion

The SNRI venlafaxine has been used for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder for over 2 decades. In that time, there have been at least seven cases of venlafaxine-induced interstitial pneumonitis reported in the medical literature (Table 2) [1–6], along with a smaller number of other venlafaxine-associated pulmonary toxicities such as eosinophilic pneumonia and even asthma. Pulmonary disease has become a well-established adverse effect of venlafaxine, and thus has been included in the prescribing information for its derivative, desvenlafaxine. This may be a class effect, as evident by reports of similar findings with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine [7].

Table 2.

Summary of previously described cases of venlafaxine-induced interstitial lung disease

Year, author	Age (years)	Sex	Smoker	Symptoms	Duration (dose)	PFT	CXR/CT	Biopsy	BAL	Treatment
2014, Oh et al. [4]	68	F	Never	Persistent non-productive cough, progressive dyspnea, anorexia, general weakness	21 months (150 mg/day) 9 months (225 mg/day)	FVC 60% p FEV1 66% p FEV1/FVC 78% TLC 78% p DLCO 61% p	CXR: bilateral diffuse reticular opacities HRCT: bilateral patchy ground-glass opacities; mosaic perfusion; traction bronchiectasis	Interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasma cells, and focal fibrosis with collagen fiber deposition, NSIP	Cell count 4.5 × 105 Macro 80% Lymph 17% T cells 84% CD4/CD8 3 Eos 3%	Drug discontinued, PO prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/day
2008, Borderías Clau et al. [1]	61	F	Former, 20 py	Progressive dyspnea × 3 weeks, non-productive cough, dyspnea on exertion, general weakness	18 months (150 mg/day) 6 months (225 mg/day)	FVC 58% p FEV1 75% p FEV1/FVC 95% TLC 73% p 6 MW 338 m O2 90% → 87% HR 87 → 115	CXR: ground glass pattern, micronodular infiltrates CT: similar to CXR, with bibasilar fibrosis and infiltrates	Interstitial pneumonitis without alveolar fibrosis and with areas of bronchiolitis, granulomas with epithelioid cells, and cholesterol crystals within giant cell	PMN 45% Lymph 50% T cells 65% CD4 35% CD8 30% Eos 5%	Drug discontinued, improved in 3 months, maintained at 9 months
2005, Turner et al. [5]	55	F	Former, remote use	Dyspnea on minimal exertion and progressive fatigue × 6 months, hypoxemic in under 50 ft, nocturnal hypoxemia	18 months (75 mg/day) 7 months (150 mg/day)	N/A	CXR: mild bilateral interstitial prominence (normal 7 months prior) CT: bilateral ground-glass opacities with slightly prominent hilar lymph nodes	Chronic bronchiolitis with chronic interstitial pneumonia and multinucleated giant cells consistent with extrinsic allergic alveolitis	N/A	Drug discontinued, IV steroids inpatient, PO taper over 10 days, CT improved in 4 months
2007, Vazquez et al. [6]	51	F	N/A	Progressive dyspnea, dry cough, sibilant rales, pleuritic pain × 6 months	1 year (300 mg/day)	“Respiratory pattern”: bronchial hyper-reactivity	CTA: bilateral mosaicism with altered ventilation/perfusion index and small peripheral subpleural condensations	N/A	Lymph increased CD4/CD8 low	Drug discontinued, immediate improvement of mosaic pattern, no pathological findings after 3 months
2014, Ferreira et al. [3]	35	F	Never	Progressive dyspnea × 3 months, NYHA III, myalgia, dry cough Cardiomyopathy (LVEF 21%)	3 months (slow release, unknown dose)	PFT: normal PaO2/FiO2 320	CXR: mixed reticular and micronodular pattern and cardiomegaly CTA: hazy parenchymal micronodules, thickening of interlobar septa, and subtle bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, mainly in the upper lobes	Not obtained due to ventricular tachycardia	Cell count normal cellularity Foamy macrophages CD4/CD8 0.7	Drug discontinued, HRCT “notoriously,” improved with few centrilobular nodules in RLL
2003, Drent et al. [2]	21	F	Never	Progressive dyspnea, non-productive cough, vomiting, weight loss (15 kg), syncope × 4 weeks, resting hypoxia on room air Cardiomyopathy (LVEF 38%)	2 months (75 mg daily × 1 month, then 35 mg daily)	PFT: restrictive ventilatory defect, severe depression of gas transfer	CXR: subtle diffuse reticulonodular opacities throughout both lungs HRCT: numerous diffuse bilateral small ill-defined pulmonary nodules	Lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate, with occasional giant cells and poorly formed non-necrotizing giant cell granuloma	Cell count 130 × 104/ml Lymph 93.2%	Drug discontinued, glucocorticoids started 40 mg daily and tapered over 2 weeks; respiratory and cardiac improvement within 2 weeks with CXR and HRCT clearance and improved PFTs; no signs of disease on 3-year follow-up
	62	M	N/A	Exertional dyspnea, dry cough, fever × 6 weeks with progressive decline over 3 months Significant reduction in LV function	5 month (unknown dose)	PFT: worsening restriction from baseline, depression of gas transfer	CXR: new left-sided ground-glass shadowing HRCT: new ground-glass shadowing in both lungs, especially left lower lobe	Autopsy Interstitial fibrosis and florid organizing pneumonia without eosinophils	N/A	Drug discontinued, empirical steroid treatment not started due to febrile illness, patient died of multiorgan failure despite inotropic support

6MW 6-min walk test, % p percent predicted, BAL bronchoalveolar lavage, CT computed tomography scan, CTA computed tomography angiography, CXR chest x-ray, DLCO diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, Eos eosinophils, F female, FEV₁ forced expiratory volume in 1 s, FEV₁/FVC ratio of forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity, FVC forced vital capacity, HR heart rate, HRCT high-resolution CT scan, IV intravenous, LV left ventricular, LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction, Lymph lymphocytes, M male, Macro macrophages, N/A not available, NSIP non-specific interstitial pneumonia, NYHA New York Heart Association functional classification, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen, PFT pulmonary function test, PMN neutrophils, PO oral, py pack-years, RLL right lower lobe, TLC total lung capacity

The causal link between drug intake and an idiosyncratic reaction is usually difficult to recognize, especially in cases of patients treated with multiple medications. Several criteria must be fulfilled to establish that a drug causes disease: a temporal relation between drug commencement and disease onset, the clinical manifestations of disease characteristics, and clinical improvement after drug discontinuation. Using the Naranjo algorithm [8] to calculate an adverse drug reaction probability score, our patient had a score of at least 4, suggesting a “possible adverse drug reaction.” We had no desire to challenge the patient by re-introducing the medication to him. The patient also did not want to be placed again on antidepressants for long-term major depressive disorder management, although anxiolytics were offered.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis traditionally has been associated with inhalation of organic substances, industrial chemicals, and drugs. All previously reported cases of venlafaxine-induced interstitial pneumonitis exhibited radiological and pathological features consistent with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Just as our patient demonstrated bilateral mosaic attenuation, ground-glass and reticular opacities, and traction bronchiectasis, six of the previously described cases featured similar radiographic findings. Open lung biopsy performed on our patient displayed lymphoid interstitial infiltrates such as in four of the above cases. While most of the previous cases presented as an acute or subacute interstitial pneumonitis, our patient’s findings of focal fibrosis consistent with chronic pneumonitis were noted in only two other cases.

Interestingly, three patients were on lower doses of venlafaxine (75–150 mg daily) for 18–21 months, but were noted to only develop symptoms 6–9 months after a dose increase (150–225 mg daily). Those patients who developed cardiomyopathy did so within 3–5 months of starting their medication. A direct toxic effect and hypersensitivity reaction may be involved in venlafaxine-induced interstitial lung disease. Seventy percent of venlafaxine is metabolized in the liver by CYP2D6 into its metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine (desvenlafaxine), thus the effects of the two drugs are expected to be the same [9].

Desvenlafaxine is prescribed as a single dose of 50 mg daily, and does not require incremental dosage increase for therapeutic effect as with venlafaxine. Interestingly, our patient only began to develop evidence of pulmonary disease after a doubling of the dose. As we continue to investigate our patient’s disease, which demonstrated a relatively low Naranjo score, with a tertiary university center specializing in interstitial lung disease, we are yet to report the case to a national system of pharmacovigilance. It is important to report such findings for both new drugs as well as derivatives of older drugs for post-marketing drug monitoring. This can help create better insight into potential adverse effects that patients may develop while taking these medications.

Conclusion

We present a case of a middle-aged man who presented with signs and symptoms of interstitial pneumonitis 6 months after having a doubling of his dose of desvenlafaxine, which he had been on for 4 years. Despite drug discontinuation and treatment with immunosuppressive agents, the extent of his lung damage persisted while the progression itself slowed down. The drug is a synthetic derivative of one of the metabolites for venlafaxine, which has been previously reported to be related to the development of pulmonary disease. We continue to investigate and treat the patient’s pulmonary disease to determine the role of desvenlafaxine, considering a low Naranjo score despite temporality of onset with dose increase.

Funding

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this study.

Conflict of interest

Arjan Flora, MD has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study. Daniel Pipoly, MD has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report. A copy of the written consent may be requested for review from the corresponding author.