Open AccessDonepezil: an unusual therapy for acute diphenhydramine overdose
Author(s) -
Jamia Ahmad,
Jahidul Hasan,
Ahmad Mursel Anam,
Dipesh Kumar Barua
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-226836
Subject(s) - diphenhydramine , medicine , anticholinergic , diphenhydramine hydrochloride , physostigmine , anesthesia , donepezil , delirium , intensive care unit , level of consciousness , amnesia , intensive care medicine , psychiatry , pharmacology , dementia , disease , acetylcholine , histamine
An elderly man presented with the history of diphenhydramine hydrochloride overdose as a suicidal attempt. At presentation, he was in an acute confusional state with several anticholinergic features and had to be managed in intensive care unit. As an antidote for diphenhydramine hydrochloride, donepezil was used instead of physostigmine due to the unavailability of physostigmine in Bangladesh. The patient improved within the next 24 hours; his level of consciousness improved and the anticholinergic features regressed.