Venlafaxine
(VLF) is a widely prescribed antidepressant thought to have little
effect on glucose metabolism, but some clinical reports showed that
a VLF overdose may cause hypoglycemia. The raw material of VLF hydrochloride
is metastable and may cause problems during the manufacturing and
storage process. Here, salt formation was employed to modify the biopharmaceutical
properties, and the hypoglycemic potential of these salt forms was
also investigated. Four organic acid salts with phthalic acid (PA),
4-chlorobenzoic acid (4-CA), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HA), and sulfanilic
acid (SA) were obtained for the first time. These products were fully
characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, solid-state
nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, and
thermogravimetric analysis. Stability measurements revealed that most
of these forms held superior phase stability against temperature,
moisture, and illumination. All salts show significantly improved
solubility relative to VLF. The glucose consumption test was also
performed in vitro, VLF:HCl could significantly increase glucose consumption
and have a higher glucose consumption index. VLF:PA, VLF:4-CA, VLF:4-HA,
and VLF:SA demonstrated no hypoglycemia side effect.