Citation

Klampfl K, Quattländer A, Burger R, Pfuhlmann B, Warnke A, Gerlach M. Atten. Defic. Hyperact. Disord. 2010; 2(4): 221-224.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s12402-010-0032-0

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A 14-year-old girl with suicidal ideation was presented to the paediatric hospital about 2 h after ingestion of 21 long-acting methylphenidate (MPH) 54-mg tablets (1,134 mg Concerta®). At admission signs of sympathomimetic syndrome were observed like agitation, visual hallucinations, slight hypertension, and sinus tachycardia. Treatment included prevention of absorption (30 g activated charcoal orally) and careful observation related to the overstimulation of the sympathic system. Despite the intake of charcoal, the serum concentrations of MPH were 107 and 93 ng/ml 2.5 and 22 h after ingestion of MPH tablets. No support of vital functions was necessary. The girl made a full recovery and was discharged after 3 days of care at the paediatric clinic and referred to the child and adolescent psychiatric department. Exposure to a huge overdose of long-acting MPH exhibited acute sympathomimetic toxicity but no life-threatening symptoms in this patient. Thus this case report suggests that patients intoxicated with high dose long-acting MPH formulations can recover without sequelae when managed properly.

Language: en