Citation

Stoner SC, Marken PA, Watson WA, Switzer JL, Barber MF, Meyer VL, Sommi RW, Steele MT. Psychopharmacol. Bull. 1997; 33(4): 667-670.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, MedWorks Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9493477

Abstract

Suicide is a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with mental illness. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other newer nontricyclic antidepressants appear to have less clinically significant toxicity in overdose, resulting in lower costs of treatment when compared with tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdoses. The resource utilization and cost of treatment for SSRI overdoses may not be less if (1) these agents are commonly ingested with other potentially toxic substances, or (2) health care practices have not changed in response to the apparent greater safety of SSRIs. This study evaluates demographic variables of antidepressant overdoses to determine whether differences exist in treatments and monitoring. Additionally, this study evaluates costs associated with care and the impact of co-ingestants on those same factors.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Antidepressive Agents; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Depressive Disorder; Drug Interactions; Drug Overdose; Emergency Medical Services; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors