Rhabdomyolysis: a rare adverse effect of diphenhydramine overdose.
Drug- and toxin-induced rhabdomyolysis is a nonspecific clinical syndrome resulting from the release of skeletal muscle cell contents into the plasma and urine. Antihistamine drugs are the active ingredients in a number of over-the-counter preparations and are frequently ingested in suicide attempts. We report rhabdomyolysis as a rare adverse effect of diphenhydramine toxicity in a 29-year-old man who ingested an unknown quantity of an over-the-counter sleep preparation in a suicide attempt. The patient had documented toxic concentration of diphenhydramine in his cerebrospinal fluid and no history of seizures, coma, or hypothermia. A high index of suspicion and an evaluation for rhabdomyolysis is warranted in antihistamine toxicity.
Emadian
S M
SM
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Caravati
E M
EM
Herr
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D004155:Diphenhydramine