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Amitriptyline overdose complicated by intestinal pseudo-obstruction and caecal perforation
1Department of General Surgery, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Amitriptyline overdose can cause serious intestinal issues like pseudo-obstruction and caecal perforation. This rare complication may occur in patients with constipation after tricyclic antidepressant self-poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly prescribed for depression.
- TCAs can cause anticholinergic side effects, including constipation.
- TCAs overdose is a medical emergency with potentially severe consequences.
Observation:
- A case of intestinal pseudo-obstruction and spontaneous caecal perforation is presented.
- The patient's condition was attributed to an overdose of amitriptyline.
- Faecal peritonitis was a consequence of the caecal perforation.
Findings:
- Amitriptyline overdose can lead to a rare but life-threatening complication of intestinal pseudo-obstruction.
- Spontaneous caecal perforation is a potential sequela of amitriptyline-induced pseudo-obstruction.
- Faecal peritonitis necessitates urgent surgical intervention.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider amitriptyline toxicity in patients presenting with severe constipation and abdominal symptoms.
- Early recognition and management of TCA overdose are crucial to prevent gastrointestinal complications.
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring patients during convalescence after TCA self-poisoning.
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