Reactions 461 - 24 Jul 1993

SDesipramine overdose

Cardiovascular and respiratory tract disorders in anadolescent: case report

Seizures, hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias followed bypulmonary oedema and a clinical picture suggestive of adultrespiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) developed in a 14-year-old girl after she ingested 54 desipramine 50mg tablets (totalingested 45 mg/kg). The girl had a previous history of suicideattempts. She was successfully treated with furosemide, fluidrestriction, artificial ventilation and vasopressor therapy. Thegirl’s lung function slowly improved and she was extubated 8days after admission.

Author comment: ‘We suggest that the diagnosis ofpulmonary edema and ARDS be considered in any TCA(tricyclic antidepressant)-poisoned patient who developshypoxia or respiratory distress, or exhibits abnormalradiographic findings.’Zuckerman GB, et al. Pulmonary complications following tricyclic antidepressantoverdose in an adolescent. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 27: 572-574, May 1993 -USA 800210432

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Reactions 24 Jul 1993 No. 4610114-9954/10/0461-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved