Antidepressant overdoses and resultant emergency department services: the impact of SSRIs.
Suicide is a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with mental illness. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other newer nontricyclic antidepressants appear to have less clinically significant toxicity in overdose, resulting in lower costs of treatment when compared with tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdoses. The resource utilization and cost of treatment for SSRI overdoses may not be less if (1) these agents are commonly ingested with other potentially toxic substances, or (2) health care practices have not changed in response to the apparent greater safety of SSRIs. This study evaluates demographic variables of antidepressant overdoses to determine whether differences exist in treatments and monitoring. Additionally, this study evaluates costs associated with care and the impact of co-ingestants on those same factors.
Stoner
S C
SC
UMKC Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, Division of Pharmacy Practice, Kansas City, MO 64108-2741, USA.
Marken
P A
PA
Watson
W A
WA
Switzer
J L
JL
Barber
M F
MF
Meyer
V L
VL
Sommi
R W
RW
Steele
M T
MT
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000191:economics; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors