Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Unmasks a Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Marc A.J. Seelen
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Letters15 February 1997Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Unmasks a PheochromocytomaMarc A.J. Seelen, MD, Paul H.E.M. de Meijer, MD, PhD, and A. Edo Meinders, MD, PhDMarc A.J. Seelen, MDUniversity Hospital Leiden, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands, Paul H.E.M. de Meijer, MD, PhDUniversity Hospital Leiden, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands, and A. Edo Meinders, MD, PhDUniversity Hospital Leiden, 2300 RC Leiden, the NetherlandsAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-4-199702150-00021 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:We describe a 55-year-old man with attacks of headache, nausea, palpitations, and perspiration after the dose of paroxetine (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor prescribed for depression) was doubled to 40 mg/d. His other medications were atenolol and a benzodiazepine. Physical examination showed that the patient was agitated and had striking peripheral vasoconstriction. Blood pressure varied between 240/130 and 80/40 mm Hg; the patient did not have orthostatic hypotension. Because of the patient's paroxysmal symptoms and striking changes in blood pressure, a pheochromocytoma was suspected. A 24-hour urinalysis showed noradrenalin, 9.2 nmol (normal, 0.06 to 0.47 nmol); adrenalin, 27 ...References1. Kaufmann JS. Phaeochromocytoma and tricyclic antidepressants [Letter]. JAMA. 1974; 229:1282. Google Scholar2. Montastruc JL, Chamontin B, Senard JM, Tran MA, Rascol O, Llau ME, et al. Pseudo phaeochromocytoma in a parkinsonian patient treated with fluoxetine plus selegiline [Letter]. Lancet. 1993; 341:555. Google Scholar3. Magnussen I, Tonder K, Engbaek F. Paroxetine, a potent selective long-acting inhibitor of synaptosomal 5-HT reuptakein mice. J Neural Trans. 1982; 55:217-26. Google Scholar4. Sindrup SH, Brosen K, Gram LF, Hallas J, Skjelboe E, Allen A, et al. The relationship between paroxetine and sparteine oxydation polymorphism. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1992; 51:278-87. Google Scholar5. Prichard BN, Smith CC. Serotonin: receptor and antagonist. Summary of symposium. Clin Physiol Biochem. 1990; 8(Suppl 13):120-8. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Marc A.J. Seelen, MD; Paul H.E.M. de Meijer, MD, PhD; A. Edo Meinders, MD, PhDAffiliations: University Hospital Leiden, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPheochromocytoma presented by Takotsubo, unmasked by accumulation of paroxetine, in a cytochrome poor metabolizer patient: A case reportPseudo-phéochromocytome médicamenteux sous iproniazide : à propos d'un casHidden harmAdverse Drug Reactions in Patients with PhaeochromocytomaCase of a 73-Year-Old Man With Dementia and a Likely Pheochromocytoma Mistaken for an Anxiety DisorderParoxetine 15 February 1997Volume 126, Issue 4Page: 333KeywordsAttentionBlood pressureHemodynamicsMonoamine oxidase inhibitorsPheochromocytomaReuptake inhibitorsSerotoninSweatTricyclic antidepressantsVasoconstriction ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 February 1997 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...