Central sleep apnea in a geriatric patient treated with aripiprazole.
We report a case of central sleep apnea in a geriatric patient that was associated with treatment with aripiprazole for an episode of major depressive disorder with psychotic features. The patient was a 72-year-old man who was started on aripiprazole and developed central sleep apnea that improved significantly when the medication was stopped. A rechallenge with aripiprazole led to a worsening of the central sleep apnea, which again improved off the aripiprazole. We postulate that the central sleep apnea was due to aripiprazole. There have been numerous case reports in the literature of obstructive sleep apnea associated with atypical antipsychotics. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of central sleep apnea. We caution clinicians to be aware that there is potential risk of atypical antipsychotics like aripiprazole inducing or exacerbating central sleep apnea.
Kohen
Izchak
I
Geriatric Psychiatry Division, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, USA. ikohen@nshs.edu
Sarcevic
Adnan
A
D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020182:Sleep Apnea, Central / Q000139:chemically induced*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole