Korean J Med.  2012 Jul;83(1):122-126.

A Case of Serotonin Syndrome Due to Amantadine and Escitalopram in End-Stage Renal Disease

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. nephrologylek@hanmail.net

Abstract

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction caused by excessive serotonergic activity in the nervous system. It is characterized by a triad of mental status changes, autonomic hyperactivity, and neuromuscular abnormalities. Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Amantadine, an anti-influenza agent, is commonly used for the treatment of parkinsonism; it also has serotonergic activity. Amantadine can induce toxicity in patients with renal dysfunction because it is excreted mainly in the urine. We report a rare case of serotonin syndrome in a 73-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease, depression, and end-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. She presented with confusion, myoclonus, and fever after starting escitalopram for her depression while on amantadine for parkinsonism. Based on this case, amantadine as well as escitalopram should be placed on the list of medications that can precipitate serotonin syndrome. The side effects of these drugs should be monitored, especially in end-stage renal disease.

Keyword

Amantadine; Chronic kidney failure; Citalopram; Serotonin syndrome

MeSH Terms

Aged
Amantadine
Citalopram
Depression
Drug Toxicity
Female
Fever
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Myoclonus
Nervous System
Parkinson Disease
Parkinsonian Disorders
Renal Dialysis
Serotonin
Serotonin Syndrome
Amantadine
Citalopram
Serotonin
Full Text Links
  • KJM
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr