Abstract
A 14-year-old girl with suicidal ideation was presented to the paediatric hospital about 2 h after ingestion of 21 long-acting methylphenidate (MPH) 54-mg tablets (1,134 mg Concerta®). At admission signs of sympathomimetic syndrome were observed like agitation, visual hallucinations, slight hypertension, and sinus tachycardia. Treatment included prevention of absorption (30 g activated charcoal orally) and careful observation related to the overstimulation of the sympathic system. Despite the intake of charcoal, the serum concentrations of MPH were 107 and 93 ng/ml 2.5 and 22 h after ingestion of MPH tablets. No support of vital functions was necessary. The girl made a full recovery and was discharged after 3 days of care at the paediatric clinic and referred to the child and adolescent psychiatric department. Exposure to a huge overdose of long-acting MPH exhibited acute sympathomimetic toxicity but no life-threatening symptoms in this patient. Thus this case report suggests that patients intoxicated with high dose long-acting MPH formulations can recover without sequelae when managed properly.
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Klampfl, K., Quattländer, A., Burger, R. et al. Case report: intoxication with high dose of long-acting methylphenidate (Concerta®) in a suicidal 14-year-old girl. ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord 2, 221–224 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-010-0032-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-010-0032-0