J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol.  2013 Jun;11(1):19-22.

Serotonin Syndrome After an Overdose of Dextromethorphan and Chlorpeniramine: Two Case Reports

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea. riven2ne@naver.com

Abstract

Dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine are common ingredients of over-the-counter (OTC) cough pills. They are known to be safe when used alone, however, combination with other serotonergic drugs or use of an overdose can cause serotonergic toxicity. We report on a 43-year-old male and a 57-year-old female who ingested an overdose of antitussive drugs containing dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine. They commonly presented with altered mentality and hyperreflexia on both upper and lower extremities. After conservative therapies, they were discharged with alert mentality. These cases are meaningful in that there are few cases of serotonin syndrome with an overdose of a combination of dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine. Careful use with medication counseling for OTC cough pills is needed in order to prevent overdose of these ingredients.

Keyword

Dextromethorphan; Chlorpeniramine; Serotonin syndrome

MeSH Terms

Adult
Antitussive Agents
Cough
Counseling
Dextromethorphan
Female
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Middle Aged
Reflex, Abnormal
Serotonin
Serotonin Agents
Serotonin Syndrome
Antitussive Agents
Dextromethorphan
Serotonin
Serotonin Agents
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