ScienceDirect - Journal of Emergency Medicine : Cardiotoxicity and late onset seizures with citalopram overdose*1

Kristin M. Engebretsen PharmD ^,^*, Carson R. Harris MD^* and James E. Wood MD

^* Clinical Toxicology Service, Emergency Medicine Department, Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Emergency Medicine Department, Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Received 21 March 2002; revised 23 October 2002; accepted 21 November 2002. ; Available online 29 July 2003.

Abstract

A 31-year-old man ingested 400 mg of citalopram (Celexa®) after an argument with his parents and girlfriend 13 h before presentation. Paramedics witnessed the patient having a generalized clonic seizure. The electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed a wide QRS complex, prolongation of the QTc interval, and left bundle branch pattern. He was treated with sodium bicarbonate with resolution of these changes. The patient was continued on a sodium bicarbonate infusion and demonstrated no further EKG abnormalities. Sodium bicarbonate should be considered as a treatment modality in patients with EKG abnormalities of prolongation of QRS or QTc interval after citalopram overdose.

Author Keywords: citalopram overdose; electrocardiogram; QRS complex; QTc interval; sodium bicarbonate

Corresponding author. Reprint Address: Kristin M. Engebretsen, , Clinical Toxicology Service, Emergency Medicine Department, 640 Jackson Street, , St. Paul, MN 55101, , USA

*1 Selected Topics: Toxicology is coordinated by Kenneth Kulig, , of Denver, Colorado

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Selected topics: toxicology

Cardiotoxicity and late onset seizures with citalopram overdose ^*1

Abstract