Epidemic of antihistamine abuse in a psychiatric unit
Gulmann, N.C.; Petersen, E.; Nielsen, U.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 142(39): 2542-2546
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 7445159 Document Number: 161593
An epidemic of abuse of antihistamines occurred in a psychiatric department during the period Jan.-April 1980. The extent of the problem is illustrated by means of an interview investigation of patients and staff. Patients (20) were found with present or previous abuse of diphenhydramine. Patients (18) were schizophrenic or presented schizophreniform psychoses. When the epidemic was at its height, 25% of the hospitalized patients under 40 yr with these diagnoses abused antihistamines. Seven patients had unrecognized drug addiction and the majority of isolated episodes of intoxication due to antihistamines were overlooked in all of the patients. Objectively recognizable and subjectively experienced mental and somatic effects of addiction reveal good agreement with descripitions in the literature concerning intoxication with anticholinergic agents and antihistamines. The effect is suggestive both of the effect of psychedelics and of central stimulants. This form of drug abuse transpired to have very serious complications which were much more serious than those of cannabis abuse. Two neighboring dispensing chemists had a markedly increased sale of diphenhydramine during the past year. Antihistamines should only be available on prescription.