Linezolid-associated serotonin syndrome after concomitant treatment with citalopram and mirtazepine in a critically ill bone marrow transplant recipient

• Published in: Journal of intensive care medicine Vol. 20; no. 6; p. 351
• Main Authors: DeBellis, Ronald J, Schaefer, Oren P, Liquori, Michelina, Volturo, Gregory A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2005
• Subjects: Acetamides - adverse effects; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects; Bone Marrow Transplantation - adverse effects; Citalopram - adverse effects; Drug Synergism; Female; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - therapy; Linezolid; Mianserin - adverse effects; Mianserin - analogs & derivatives; Middle Aged; Oxazolidinones - adverse effects; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors - adverse effects; Serotonin Syndrome - chemically induced; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Transplantation, Homologous; Urinary Tract Infections - etiology
• ISSN: 0885-0666; 1525-1489
• DOI: 10.1177/0885066605280825

Linezolid was initially discovered as an antidepressant because of its effect on blocking intracellular metabolism of serotonin, norepinephrine, and other biogenic amines. As time passed, it was realized that linezolid possessed antibacterial activity, and linezolid has been developed and marketed as such. In medicine we are quick to categorize drugs into specific classes as a mechanism to recall indication and use. By classifying linezolid as an antibacterial, it is common to forget about its antidepressant roots. A case report involving linezolid with citalopram and mirtazepine in the precipitation of serotonin syndrome in a critically ill bone marrow transplant patient is described in this article.