Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis complicating antihistamine overdose

J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1993;31(3):493-6. doi: 10.3109/15563659309000418.

Abstract

Antihistamines are common over the counter medications which are frequently involved in overdoses. The usual clinical course is dominated by the anticholinergic affects of these agents; it includes significant autonomic and central nervous system effects and direct cardiac toxicity (1). We report a case of a suicide attempt in a young adult male where ingestion of the antihistamines diphenhydramine and doxylamine was complicated by non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Kidney Injury / complications*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / physiopathology
  • Adult
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Diphenhydramine / poisoning*
  • Doxylamine / poisoning*
  • Drug Overdose
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rhabdomyolysis / chemically induced
  • Rhabdomyolysis / complications*
  • Rhabdomyolysis / physiopathology
  • Suicide, Attempted

Substances

  • Diphenhydramine
  • Doxylamine
  • Creatinine