Hyponatraemia associated with psychotropic medications. A review of the literature and spontaneous reports.
Psychotropic medication-induced hyponatraemia is an uncommon but important clinical problem with potential serious consequences if not recognised and treated early. Several risk factors have been associated with the development of hyponatraemia. This article reviews reported cases of hyponatraemia associated with the use of psychotropic medications and evaluates possible risk factors and causes. The data were sourced by a search of Medline for reports of hyponatraemia associated with the use of psychotropic medication between January 1966 and December 2000 and a search of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spontaneous reporting system database between January 1966 and December 1999. All the reports were included in this review. In the case reports the following data were assessed: age, gender, daily dosage, days to onset, days to recovery, medical condition, concurrent medications. Several risk factors were identified: advanced age, female gender, use of other medications, medical comorbidity. The risk of hyponatraemia was found to be higher during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Administration of the dosage of the drug was not found to be related to the development of hyponatraemia. Hyponatraemia can cause confusion, agitation and lethargy. Any change in the course of illness should alert the physician to the possibility of hyponatraemia.
Madhusoodanan
Subramoniam
S
St. John's Episcopal Hospital, South Shore,327 Beach 19th street, Far Rockaway, New York, USA.
Bogunovic
Olivera J
OJ
Moise
Despina
D
Brenner
Ronald
R
Markowitz
Sheldon
S
Sotelo
Jorge
J
D000367:Age Factors; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines