Abstract
Although it is generally believed that unintentional ingestions of fluoxetine by children
are relatively safe, there are no large published studies supporting this concept.
The goal of this retrospective study is to determine the signs and symptoms of these
children. Inclusion criteria included fluoxetine exposures from six certified regional
poison centers: <6 years old, known amount, single substance, 20 mg or more ingested,
and follow up done to determine outcome. One hundred twenty cases met all inclusion
criteria. Average age was 25 months ± 12 months. Median amount ingested was 20 mg.
Mild signs and symptoms were noted in 3.3%, and no major signs or symptoms were reported.
In 48 cases, a milligram per kilogram dose was calculated, and the median dose ingested
was 2.26 mg/kg. In 92% of the cases, the amount ingested was 60 mg or below. These
children will have no adverse effects or only minimal effects and require no emergency
treatment or gastric decontamination.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
June 6,
2003
Received:
February 23,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
