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1Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, MD, USA. mlhutchmd@yahoo.com
American Journal of Therapeutics
|April 27, 2011
Summary
A 7-year-old patient developed bilateral papilledema while on Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) for anxiety. Symptoms resolved after Zoloft discontinuation, suggesting drug-induced papilledema, a rare side effect not previously linked to Zoloft.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Zoloft are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders.
- Pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension) is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure.
- Papilledema, or optic disc swelling, can be a sign of increased intracranial pressure.
Observation:
- A case report details a 7-year-old patient experiencing bilateral papilledema during Zoloft therapy for anxiety.
- Optic disc elevation was incidentally discovered early in treatment.
- Symptoms rapidly resolved upon Zoloft cessation.
Findings:
- The patient had no underlying neurological or visual system pathology.
- Neuroimaging suggested pseudotumor cerebri.
- This case represents the first reported instance of papilledema and pseudotumor cerebri associated with Zoloft use.
Implications:
- Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) may be an underrecognized cause of drug-induced papilledema.
- Clinicians should consider Zoloft as a potential etiology in patients presenting with papilledema.
- Further research is warranted to explore the association between SSRIs and pseudotumor cerebri.
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