Pharmacoresistant convulsions and visual hallucinations around two weeks after selegiline overdose: a case report

Pharmacopsychiatry. 2011 Nov;44(7):346-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1284429. Epub 2011 Oct 11.

Abstract

A case of pharmacoresistant convulsions after selegiline overdose is reported. A 50-year-old male having been suffering from bipolar II disorder for 16 years attempted suicide by taking an overdose of 195 mg selegiline with other psychotropics. He developed recurrent pharmacoresistant seizure from 12th day to 19th day after selegiline overdose. He also had visual hallucinations and temporary high blood pressure. The authors suspect that the catecholamine-influenced convulsions and visual hallucinations that manifested during the period increased by the MAO-inhibiting action of selegiline which lasts about 2 weeks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Bipolar Disorder / complications
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Coma / chemically induced
  • Diazepam / therapeutic use
  • Drug Overdose / complications*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Hallucinations / chemically induced*
  • Hallucinations / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / poisoning*
  • Phenytoin / therapeutic use
  • Seizures / chemically induced*
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Selegiline / poisoning*
  • Suicide, Attempted

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Selegiline
  • Phenytoin
  • Diazepam