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Rhabdomyolysis: a rare adverse effect of diphenhydramine overdose
S M Emadian1, E M Caravati, R D Herr
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Rhabdomyolysis, a rare adverse effect, can occur from diphenhydramine toxicity. This condition involves skeletal muscle breakdown and is a critical consideration in antihistamine overdose cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Drug- and toxin-induced rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle breakdown.
- Antihistamines are common in over-the-counter medications and frequently involved in overdose attempts.
Observation:
- A case report details a 29-year-old male with diphenhydramine toxicity from an overdose of an OTC sleep aid.
- The patient presented with toxic levels of diphenhydramine in cerebrospinal fluid without seizures, coma, or hypothermia.
Findings:
- Rhabdomyolysis was identified as a rare adverse effect of diphenhydramine toxicity.
- The patient's condition highlights a specific mechanism of muscle damage in antihistamine overdose.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for rhabdomyolysis in cases of antihistamine toxicity.
- Early evaluation for rhabdomyolysis is crucial for managing patients with significant antihistamine exposure.