title: Low-dose escitalopram for 2 days associated with corrected QT interval prolongation in a middle-aged woman: a case report and literature review.
abstract: Prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) on the electrocardiography is an important clinical condition because it increases the risk of torsade de pointes, a medical emergency that can cause sudden cardiac death. QTc prolongation can be induced by many drugs, including antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Compared with TCAs, use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) was less likely to cause severe cardiac adverse effects. Escitalopram, one of the SSRIs, has shown significant antidepressant efficacy and well tolerability. Here, we present one female patient showing QTc prolongation induced by low-dose (5 mg/day) treatment of escitalopram for 2 days. The QTc returned to normal soon after discontinuation of escitalopram. Clinicians should be cautious about cardiac effects when using a SSRI, even in a low dose.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Ping-Tao
authors: PT
authors: Tseng
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Lee
authors: Ya-En
authors: YE
authors: Lin
authors: Pao-Yen
authors: PY
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram