[A case of fluvoxamine overdose]

Chudoku Kenkyu. 2002 Jan;15(1):53-7.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are newly developed-antidepressants authorized in 1999 in Japan. We experienced a case of drug poisoning including fluvoxamine, one of SSRI. A comatose nineteen-year-old girl was transported to our ER in the morning on July 25, 2000. There remained many empty packages of fluvoxamine and several sorts of tranquilizers in the room. Her consciousness became alert over the next morning. HPLC analysis revealed fluvoxamine, chlorpromazine, promethazine, biperiden, phenobarbital, and zopiclone in her blood and that serum concentrations of the first three were above the therapeutic ranges. The peak values of fluvoxamine, chlorpromazine, and promethazine were 1,343 ng/ml (6.7 times of the upper limit), 861 ng/ml (2 times), and 529 ng/ml (1.3 times), respectively. Fluvoxamine must be a main cause of her toxic symptoms although other CNS-depressing drugs might work jointly.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / blood
  • Antidepressive Agents / poisoning*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Overdose
  • Female
  • Fluvoxamine / blood
  • Fluvoxamine / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / blood
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / poisoning*
  • Time Factors
  • Tranquilizing Agents / blood
  • Tranquilizing Agents / poisoning

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Tranquilizing Agents
  • Fluvoxamine