Serotonin syndrome induced by overdose of atomoxetine alone in a patient with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder: A case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes, autonomic hyperactivity, and neuromuscular abnormalities. This syndrome results from various medications that engender serotonergic overactivity. Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for the treatment of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Two case reports have described serotonin syndrome induced by the combination of atomoxetine with venlafaxine or methylphenidate, but no report describes this syndrome induced by atomoxetine alone. This report describes serotonin syndrome induced solely by an overdose of atomoxetine in a patient with ADHD. Case Presentation The patient in this case was a 21‐year‐old man who had been treated with atomoxetine for ADHD. He was transported to our hospital 1 h after intentional ingestion of 1200 mg of atomoxetine in a suicide attempt. On admission, he showed profuse diaphoresis, marked agitation, somnolence, slight fever, tachycardia, prolonged QT interval, myoclonus, tremor, and hyperreflexia. He was diagnosed as having serotonin syndrome and was treated with administration of activated charcoal and massive infusion. Three days later, his serotonin syndrome symptoms had disappeared completely. Conclusion Findings in this case suggest that atomoxetine alone can cause serotonin syndrome presumably via its effects of serotonin reuptake inhibition. Clinicians should consider this syndrome induced by atomoxetine overdose.

Keywords

• attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• atomoxetine
• overdose
• serotonin syndrome