Why the study?
What are the clinical consequences and management outcomes of an extreme oral overdose of quetiapine?
What are the clinical consequences and management outcomes of an extreme oral overdose of quetiapine?
Extreme overdose of quetiapine (36 g) can lead to coma, tachycardia, QTc prolongation, and hyperglycemia, but may be survived without residual symptoms with prompt supportive care.
May support full recovery after extreme quetiapine overdose with supportive care; hypothesis-generating and requires confirmation in larger cohorts.
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic approved for the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders. Since approvement several case reports about intoxication with quetiapine were linked mainly with tachycardia, QT(c)-prolongation, somnolence, and hyperglycemia. Here, we present the first case report of an intoxication with an extreme overdose of quetiapine (36 g), ingested by a 32-year-old female (62 kg bodyweight) to attempt suicide. Symptoms associated with intoxication were coma without arterial hypotension, persistent tachycardia, hyperglycemia, and transient hypothyreoidism. QT(c)-interval was moderately extended. Management consisted of intubation for airway protection, gastric lavage, the use of activated charcoal, i.v. saline, and observation for 17 hours on an intensive care unit. Despite the extremely high dose of quetiapine, the patient recovered completely without residual symptoms.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Müller et al. (2009) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: