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Severe symptomatic hyponatremia during citalopram therapy
1Department of Internal Medicine B, Bnai Zion Medical Center, and Technion Faculty of Medicine, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause hyponatremia due to SIADH. This case highlights the risk associated with citalopram, especially in elderly patients, necessitating close monitoring of serum sodium levels.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely prescribed antidepressants.
- Hyponatremia, a complication of SIADH, is an uncommon side effect of SSRIs.
- Previous reports of SSRI-induced SIADH primarily involved fluoxetine, with few cases linked to citalopram.
Observation:
- This report details a case of severe symptomatic hyponatremia in an elderly woman.
- The hyponatremia was attributed to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
- The patient was undergoing treatment with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Findings:
- Citalopram, like other SSRIs, can precipitate SIADH leading to hyponatremia.
- This complication appears to be more prevalent in elderly patients.
- The severity of symptoms in this case underscores the potential risks.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of citalopram-induced SIADH is crucial, particularly for elderly patients.
- Close monitoring of serum sodium levels is recommended during citalopram therapy in this demographic.
- This finding contributes to understanding the neuroendocrine side effects of SSRIs.
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