Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T04:02:16.969Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Activation syndrome caused by paroxetine in a cancer patient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2008

Tomomi Nishida ,
Makoto Wada ,
Mei Wada ,
Hiroshi Ito ,
Masaru Narabayashi  and
Hideki Onishi
Tomomi Nishida*
Affiliation:
Department of Psycho-oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
Makoto Wada
Affiliation:
Department of Psycho-oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
Mei Wada
Affiliation:
Department of Psycho-oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
Hiroshi Ito
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
Masaru Narabayashi
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
Hideki Onishi
Affiliation:
Department of Psycho-oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Tomomi Nishida, Department of Psycho-oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka city, Saitama 350-1298, Japan. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Individuals with cancer have two to four times an increased risk of depressive disorders compared to the general population. Depressive symptoms are related to impaired daily life functioning and a rise in health care utilization. Pharmacological treatments for depression are usually effective to reduce depressive symptoms, but sometimes lead to serious adverse reactions. We describe a cancer patient who developed sudden psychological and behavioral abnormalities after administration of the antidepressant paroxetine. Impulsive and aggressive symptoms are a so-called activation syndrome that can cause violent or suicidal tendencies. Palliative care staff should pay close attention to these potentially lethal reactions and make an immediate and correct diagnosis.

Keywords

Activation syndromeSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)ParoxetineCancerAkathisia
Type
Case Report
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 183 - 185
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Breggin, P.R. (2003/2004). Suicidality, violence and mania caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): A review and analysis. International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, 16, 31–49.Google Scholar
Culpepper, L., Davidson, J.R.T., Dietrich, A.J., et al. (2004). Suicidality as a possible side effect of antidepressant treatment. Primary Care Companion Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 6, 79–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leo, R.J. (1996). Movement disorders associated with the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 57, 449–454.Google Scholar
Lipinski, J.F. Jr., Mallya, G., Zimmerman, P., et al. (1989). Fluoxetine-induced akathisia: Clinical and theoretical implications. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 50, 339–342.Google Scholar
MacGillivray, S., Arroll, B., Hatcher, S., et al. (2003). Efficacy and tolerability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors compared with tricyclic antidepressants in depression treated in primary care: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal, 326, 1014–1017.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rodin, G., Lloyd, N., Katz, M., et al. (2007). The treatment of depression in cancer patients: A systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 15, 123–136.Google Scholar
Teicher, M.H., Glod, C., & Cole, J.O. (1990). Emergence of intense suicidal preoccupation during fluoxetine treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 207–210.Google Scholar
Wagstaff, A.J., Cheer, S.M., Matheson, A.J., et al. (2002). Spotlight on paroxetine in psychiatric disorders in adults. CNS Drugs, 16, 425–434.Google Scholar