Case study: two additional sudden deaths with tricyclic antidepressants

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997 Mar;36(3):390-4. doi: 10.1097/00004583-199703000-00018.

Abstract

Since 1990, there have been five reported cases of sudden death in children treated with desipramine. This case study describes the sudden deaths of two additional children treated with tricyclic antidepressants, one with desipramine, 3.3 mg/kg per day, the other with imipramine, 6 mg/kg per day and thioridazine, 1 mg/kg per day. The reports add to concerns about the use of tricyclics in children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Desipramine / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Imipramine / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Thioridazine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Thioridazine
  • Imipramine
  • Desipramine