Active microscopic colitis precipitated by fluoxetine

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology
• Pathology

Background:

• Microscopic colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease presenting with watery diarrhea and normal-appearing colonic mucosa.
• Drug-induced colonic inflammation is a known phenomenon, with some medications triggering or worsening microscopic colitis.

Observation:

• A patient was diagnosed with active microscopic colitis.
• The diagnosis coincided with the patient taking high doses of fluoxetine.

Findings:

• The case suggests a potential link between high-dose fluoxetine use and the development of active microscopic colitis.
• Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of microscopic colitis.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering medication side effects, such as fluoxetine, in patients presenting with unexplained diarrhea.
• Further research may be warranted to explore the mechanisms of drug-induced microscopic colitis and identify at-risk populations.