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The abuse of multiple gastrointestinal antibiotics: a case report

Bappaditya Chowdhury1, Ramtanu Banerjee, Rudrajit Paul

  • 1Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Medical College Kolkata , 88, College Street, Kolkata 700 073, West Bengal, India.

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR
|January 4, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This case report details the rare, prolonged abuse of gastrointestinal antibiotics, including metronidazole, mebendazole, and albendazole, in a patient with generalized anxiety disorder. The patient successfully responded to paroxetine and psychotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Substance abuse of non-dependence-producing drugs is infrequently documented.
  • Such abuse can exacerbate psychiatric conditions, particularly anxiety disorders.
  • Gastrointestinal antibiotics are rarely implicated in substance abuse cases.

Observation:

  • A case of prolonged, intentional overuse of multiple gastrointestinal antibiotics (metronidazole, mebendazole, albendazole) is presented.
  • The patient presented with generalized anxiety disorder and anankastic personality disorder.
  • Despite the extensive drug overuse, no overt toxicity was observed.

Findings:

  • The patient's psychiatric conditions were diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder and anankastic personality disorder.
  • Treatment with paroxetine and psychotherapy led to a favorable response.
  • This represents a unique instance of gastrointestinal antibiotic abuse.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for abuse of commonly prescribed medications.
  • Underscores the importance of considering substance abuse in psychiatric patients, even with non-traditional substances.
  • Suggests the need for increased awareness among clinicians regarding this rare form of drug misuse.
Keywords:
AlbendazoleAnankastic personality disorderAntibioticsDrug abuseMetronidazole

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