title: Activation syndrome caused by paroxetine in a cancer patient.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psycho-oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan. t-nishida@saitama-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narabayashi
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Onishi
mesh_terms: D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000139:chemically induced; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors