New drugs in psychiatry

Pituitary side effects of old and new drugs

INTRODUCTION

Pituitary function is influenced by several drugs, including anti-depressant, opioids, glucocorticoids, chemotherapeutic agents, immunomodulators and the newly developed tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In most instances, treatment with these drugs negatively affects pituitary function, but in rare cases an activation of specific hypothalamic-pituitary axes may be observed. Several of the observed pituitary side effects are reversible after drug withdrawal, but pituitary function deficiency may persist long-term. In addition to the well known drugs, recent evidence shows that also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs impair gonadal axis at pituitary level, while antipsychotic phenothiazines alter TSH response to TRH and TSH levels. Atypical antipsychotics may decrease TRH-stimulated TSH. Tricyclic antidepressant drugs interfere with the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis by decreasing TSH response to TRH. Anabolic-androgenic steroids, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and opioid narcotics negatively impact fertility, also acting at hypothalamic-pituitary level.

CONCLUSIONS

Many of the drugs administered routinely in the intensive care unit significantly impact the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Therefore, an increased awareness on pituitary side effects of drugs commonly used in clinical practice is necessary in order to rule out possible pharmacological interference when assessing patients with pituitary deficiencies.

Clinical course and toxicokinetic data following isolated citalopram overdose in an infant

OBJECTIVE

Despite the frequency of use of citalopram, its clinical effects and pharmacokinetics in overdose in the pediatric patient are not well described. We describe the clinical course and drug levels following the ingestion of citalopram by a 10-month-old female.

CASE REPORT

A 10 month-old female ingested an unknown amount of citalopram. Approximately 40 min after ingestion, the child developed horizontal nystagmus, followed by a generalized, tonic-clonic seizure that lasted 2 to 3 min very shortly thereafter. The child received 1 mg of midazolam intramuscularly (IM), followed by 1 mg of midazolam intravenously (IV) for termination of this seizure, and was given a loading dose of 20 mg/kg of fosphenytoin IV. Elective orotracheal intubation was done to protect the airway. Despite the use of midazolam and fosphenytoin, the child had another seizure approximately 85 min following the ingestion. A third seizure was noted at approximately 100 min post-ingestion. In the course of treatment, activated charcoal was administered via nasogastric tube, and IV midazolam and phenobarbital were given. The child was transferred to a nearby facility with pediatric intensive care capabilities in stable condition. The child did not experience any hypotension or dysrhythmia, and the electrocardiographic QTc and QRS complex were normal throughout the clinical course. During the subsequent 48 h, the child awoke and regained normal function. This child's recovery was uneventful, and the child was discharged home without sequelae. Plasma levels of citalopram were 1400 ng/ml, 583 ng/ml, 416 ng/ml, and 296 ng/ml, at one, six, 13, and 23 h post-ingestion, respectively. The first level likely represents a predistributional level with subsequent levels giving an elimination t1/2 of 17.38 h.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of citalopram poisoning in a 10-month-old infant with refractory seizures, and an absence of cardiovascular events with subsequent excellent outcome. The elimination of the parent drug corresponds to an approximate t1/2 of 15-20 h in this single case.

Seizure secondary to citalopram overdose

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used in the community for treating many forms of mental illness. Citalopram, a newer generation SSRI, is commonly prescribed but, despite its low toxicity profile, has a danger of seizure and dysrhythmias in overdose. This case report documents the key aspects in treatment of a citalopram overdose resulting in a seizure and an episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The seizure was successfully treated with benzodiazepines. The SVT was terminated with administration of adenosine. We review the literature and make recommendations on treatment of citalopram overdose.

Perioperative medication management

One of the consultant's roles is to make recommendations regarding the use of medications in the perioperative period. Unfortunately, the data in this area are often insufficient to provide evidence-based recommendations. In this article, we have provided advice considering the pharmacokinetics of the drug, the effect on the primary disease of stopping medications, and the effect of the medication on perioperative risk, including potential drug interactions with anesthetic agents.

Antidepressant use in psychiatry and medicine: importance for dental practice

BACKGROUND

Many dental patients receive antidepressant therapy. However, antidepressants taken with other drugs may increase the risk of complications that require special dental precautions and care.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective study of 1,800 randomly selected patient records and evaluated the prevalence of using antidepressants and other medications concurrently. They analyzed antidepressant intake relative to drug classification and mechanism of action, age, sex and associated potential for clinical complications such as xerostomia, orthostatic hypotension and interaction with vasoconstrictors. The potential for additive adverse effects between antidepressants and other medications also was analyzed.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-one (21 percent) of the 1,800 patient records indicated that patients were being treated with 412 antidepressants. Female subjects out-numbered male subjects by an approximate 2.3:1 ratio. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were most commonly prescribed, followed by tricyclic antidepressants, atypical and third-generation antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Based on reported medication intake, almost 58 percent of subjects in the antidepressant group were receiving treatment with two or more medications that had the potential for producing xerostomia. Two hundred fifty-seven (67 percent) of the 381 records documented intake of an antidepressant or other medication with orthostatic hypotension potential.

CONCLUSIONS

Three hundred eighty-one patients reported that they were receiving antidepressant therapy for psychiatric and other medical reasons. Potential adverse effects and interactions with other medications have direct implications for dental treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Patients receiving antidepressant therapy are at risk of developing xerostomia and orthostatic hypotension, as well as experiencing the adverse effects of interaction with vasoconstrictors. Dentists must take appropriate precautions in treating these patients.