ANALYSIS OF SERTRALINE-ONLY OVERDOSES

Sertraline is an antidepressant for which preliminary data suggest a l ow inherent toxicity, Previously reported case series have included co ingestants or had small numbers of patients, This study was undertaken to determine the toxicity of overdoses of sertraline alone, A 2-year retrospective and 6-month prospective study was conducted at a regiona l poison center, There were 52 patients with a mean age of 19.3 +/- 13 .8 years and a mean dose of 727 +/- 686 mg, There were no symptoms in 34 cases, Symptomatic patients experienced mild central nervous system , cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects, Two patients developed bradycardia which resolved without therapy, While all but 3 of 38 ado lescents and adults were treated in a health care facility, 10 of 14 c hildren were managed at home, Gastrointestinal decontamination was per formed in 37 cases, No other specific therapy was required, Serious to xicity would not be expected following sertraline only overdoses. Copy right (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company