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[Varenicline poisoning for a suicidal purpose]
Freja Hemmingsen Sørup1, Anders Bay Neumann, Helle Holst
1Klinisk Farmakologisk Afdeling, -Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 København NV. fsoe0011@regionh.dk.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|October 30, 2014
Summary
Varenicline overdose is rare. A woman who took a large dose of varenicline (40-50 mg) experienced vomiting and recovered fully after receiving activated charcoal, showing a favorable outcome.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Varenicline, a partial nicotine receptor agonist, is a prescription medication for smoking cessation.
- Intended overdose cases of varenicline are infrequently reported in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old female patient intentionally ingested a high dose of varenicline (40-50 mg).
- The patient experienced spontaneous vomiting shortly after ingestion, potentially linked to varenicline's action on gastrointestinal serotonin 5-HT3 receptors.
Findings:
- Medical evaluation included normal electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and blood sample results.
- The patient received activated charcoal upon hospital admission for decontamination.
- The patient was discharged the following day with no reported adverse effects.
Implications:
- This case suggests that even large varenicline overdoses may have a benign clinical course.
- Early supportive care, including activated charcoal, may be effective in managing varenicline overdose.
- Further research into the toxicological profile of varenicline in overdose scenarios is warranted.