title: Severe withdrawal syndrome possibly associated with cessation of a midazolam and fentanyl infusion.
abstract: A 40-month-old child was sedated with a fentanyl and midazolam infusion for 7 days. After the drugs were discontinued he became unresponsive and globally aphasic, and had marked thrombocytosis. He was hospitalized for 4 weeks, during which time his motor and cognitive status slowly improved, and had almost returned to baseline at time of discharge. Severe neurologic abnormalities have been reported with midazolam and fentanyl, administered separately or together, and seem to be a consequence of a withdrawal syndrome. Of interest, this patient had a reactive thrombocytosis at the time of onset of the withdrawal syndrome, and his decreased platelet count coincided with the return to normal cognitive and motor status. Based on this experience and other reports, we believe midazolam-fentanyl combination should be administered with caution.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ducharme
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munzenberger
mesh_terms: D001037:Aphasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam; D005283:Fentanyl