Acute Massive Pulmonary Thromboembolism Due to Acute Intoxication by Duloxetine: A Case Report

Abstract

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is a potent serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for the management of major depression and pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Cymbalta delayed-release capsules contain Duloxetine HCl equivalent to 20, 30, 60mg of Duloxetine. The ingestion of high quantities of Duloxetine may have serious outcomes such as venous thrombosis, causing cardiac respiratory arrest. The Authors outline a case report of an elderly woman, suffering from depression, found dead in her apartment. The cause of death was attributed to acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism due to acute intoxication of Duloxetine bought the day before. The thesis supported by the authors and confirmed by the data from other studies is that a massive intake of Duloxetine drug increases considerably the medication's side effects such as somnolence, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, constipation, considerable increases in recumbent systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a small decrease in heart rate.