Related Experiment Videos
Antihistamine-induced rhabdomyolysis
Uday Khosla1, Kelly S Ruel, Daniel P Hunt
1Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|October 23, 2003
Summary
Antihistamine overdose can cause severe rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious muscle injury. This complication may be overlooked in emergency settings and can interfere with drug screening tests.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Antihistamines are common over-the-counter medications found in many sleep aids.
- Intentional overdoses involving antihistamines are frequently encountered in emergency departments.
- Rhabdomyolysis is a potential complication of drug toxicity.
Observation:
- Three new cases of severe rhabdomyolysis following antihistamine ingestion are presented.
- This complication appears to be underreported in patients with intentional overdoses.
- Muscle injury mechanisms in antihistamine overdose warrant further investigation.
Findings:
- Severe rhabdomyolysis was directly linked to antihistamine overdose in the reported cases.
- The study highlights a potentially overlooked cause of muscle breakdown in overdose patients.
- Antihistamines may exhibit cross-reactivity with phencyclidine urine screening tests.
Implications:
- Emergency physicians should consider rhabdomyolysis in patients with antihistamine overdose.
- Awareness of this complication can improve patient diagnosis and management.
- Potential false-positive results in drug screening due to antihistamines need consideration.