Electrocardiogram Abnormalities Following Diphenhydramine Ingestion: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: In the United States, tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) are commonly prescribed to treat psychiatric illnesses and neuropathic pain. This class of antidepressants has been found to cause pathognomonic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in cases of overdose.1 Specifically, TCA's cause a dominant terminal R wave in aVR and widening of the QRS complex due to their sodium channel blocking effect. Diphenhydramine, better known as Benadryl, is known to disrupt sodium channels in the same manner. In this case report, a 13-year-old female was brought into the emergency department (ED) after attempted suicide by diphenhydramine overdose. The patient presented with palpitations, nausea and confusion. She was agitated, tachycardic and exhibited opsoclonus. An ECG was performed upon the patient's arrival w

SUBMITTER: Bruss P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10332767 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature