Donepezil: an unusual therapy for acute diphenhydramine overdose.

Abstract

An elderly man presented with the history of diphenhydramine hydrochloride overdose as a suicidal attempt. At presentation, he was in an acute confusional state with several anticholinergic features and had to be managed in intensive care unit. As an antidote for diphenhydramine hydrochloride, donepezil was used instead of physostigmine due to the unavailability of physostigmine in Bangladesh. The patient improved within the next 24 hours; his level of consciousness improved and the anticholinergic features regressed.

• Authors: Jamia Ahmad, Md Jahidul Hasan, Ahmad Mursel Anam, Dipesh Kumar Barua
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 12 Issue 3 (Mar 20 2019) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30898954 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Chemical References

• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Diphenhydramine
• Donepezil

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Diphenhydramine (poisoning)
• Donepezil (administration & dosage)
• Drug Overdose (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Suicide, Attempted
• Treatment Outcome