Citation

Ahmed AI, van Mierlo P, Jansen P. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2010; 32(6): 646.e5-64600007.

Affiliation

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Centre St. Radboud, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.04.008

PMID

21112460

Abstract

In the Netherlands, the prescription of beta-blockers to patients older than 70 years has increased sharply in recent years. The neuropsychiatric adverse reactions associated with the use of beta-blockers are relatively uncommon and they are mostly seen with poisoning or overdose. We describe an 81-year-old man who developed sleep disorders, nightmares, depression and anxiety as probable adverse effect of low-dose metoprolol (25 mg/day). This case illustrates not only the neuropsychiatric adverse reactions of beta-blockers, but also that diagnosis of these reactions can be easily missed in elderly patients.

Language: en