PEDIATRIC SERTRALINE OVERDOSE

Sertraline (Zoloft) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that i s commonly used in adults in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorde rs. Whereas it also is used to treat these illnesses in children, it i s not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use i n this population. Sertraline use has been increasing secondary to its efficacy and its more tolerable side effect profile than the tricycli c antidepressants. It is also much safer in overdose than the tricycli c antidepressants. Although there have been numerous reports of sertra line overdose in adults, reports in the pediatric population are much less common. We review the literature regarding sertraline overdose in children, describe a case of sertraline ingestion in a 22-month-old i nfant, and discuss the treatment of such an overdose.