Toxic psychosis following cycloplegic eyedrops

DICP. 1990 Jul-Aug;24(7-8):708-9. doi: 10.1177/106002809002400713.

Abstract

A case of toxic psychosis due to cycloplegic eyedrops is reported. The characteristic mental symptoms of atropine intoxication include confusion with vivid visual hallucinations, restlessness, muscular incoordination, and later emotional lability. These symptoms and a short period of retrograde amnesia occurred in our patient. The adverse drug reaction was confirmed following rechallenge. The possible preventive measures against intoxication caused by atropine eyedrops are described. All healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible temporal relationship between the appearance of pathology and the administration of a drug.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amnesia / chemically induced
  • Amnesia / psychology
  • Atropine / administration & dosage
  • Atropine / adverse effects*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Female
  • Hallucinations / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced* / psychology

Substances

  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Atropine