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Dexmedetomidine in a Child with Methylphenidate Intoxication

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Abstract

Methylphenidate intoxication, due to accidental ingestion, is a common occurrence in pediatrics. Symptoms of extreme agitation are typically controlled with benzodiazepines or barbiturates. There is, however, a legitimate risk of mechanical ventilation due to respiratory depression with increasing doses of benzodiazepines. The authors describe a case of 7-y-old girl with methylphenidate toxicity where dexmedetomidine was successfully used to manage agitation and cardiovascular stimulation without respiratory compromise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Section of Critical Care Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 East 17th Ave, Mail Stop 8414, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Dayanand N. Bagdure & Emily L. Dobyns

  2. Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Girija R. Bhoite

  3. Department of Pharmacy, Center for Pediatric Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Pamela D Reiter

Authors
  1. Dayanand N. Bagdure
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  2. Girija R. Bhoite
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  3. Pamela D Reiter
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  4. Emily L. Dobyns
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dayanand N. Bagdure.

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Bagdure, D.N., Bhoite, G.R., Reiter, P.D. et al. Dexmedetomidine in a Child with Methylphenidate Intoxication. Indian J Pediatr 80, 343–344 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-012-0757-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-012-0757-1

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