Authors
Enosolease U. A., Atokoma V. E., Okogbenin E. O.
Abstract
Self-poisoning with antidepressants is a relatively common method of completed or attempted suicide among patients
with depressive disorders. Among these antidepressants, SSRIs for example fluoxetine, have been shown to have a
relatively safe profile compared to other classes, especially the tricyclic antidepressants. The report illustrate the
relative safety of fluoxetine overdose in a 22-year-old patient receiving treatment for a depressive disorder. She
presented with mild symptoms of a brief confusional state, tremors, blurred vision, and clonus. All symptoms
resolved within a few days of treatment with cyproheptadine 4mg 8 hourly. Serotonin syndrome cases from
fluoxetine overdoses typically have a mild to moderate presentation, suggesting that fluoxetine should be considered strongly in the treatment of depression in patients who are suicidal. Although cyproheptadine was effective in managing this case, further randomized studies are needed to prove its efficacy in serotonin syndrome
with depressive disorders. Among these antidepressants, SSRIs for example fluoxetine, have been shown to have a
relatively safe profile compared to other classes, especially the tricyclic antidepressants. The report illustrate the
relative safety of fluoxetine overdose in a 22-year-old patient receiving treatment for a depressive disorder. She
presented with mild symptoms of a brief confusional state, tremors, blurred vision, and clonus. All symptoms
resolved within a few days of treatment with cyproheptadine 4mg 8 hourly. Serotonin syndrome cases from
fluoxetine overdoses typically have a mild to moderate presentation, suggesting that fluoxetine should be considered strongly in the treatment of depression in patients who are suicidal. Although cyproheptadine was effective in managing this case, further randomized studies are needed to prove its efficacy in serotonin syndrome
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