An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report

Abstract Background Cytisine is an alkaloid that is molecularly similar to nicotine and it is commonly used to treat smoking cessation. While it is considered a reasonably safe treatment option, cytisine intoxication in humans exhibits several adverse effects. These involve the gastrointestinal syst...

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Main Authors: Simone Campagnari, Lorenzo Zamboni, Isabella Barbon, Francesca Fusina, Fabio Lugoboni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04938-w
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author Simone Campagnari
Lorenzo Zamboni
Isabella Barbon
Francesca Fusina
Fabio Lugoboni
author_facet Simone Campagnari
Lorenzo Zamboni
Isabella Barbon
Francesca Fusina
Fabio Lugoboni
author_sort Simone Campagnari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Cytisine is an alkaloid that is molecularly similar to nicotine and it is commonly used to treat smoking cessation. While it is considered a reasonably safe treatment option, cytisine intoxication in humans exhibits several adverse effects. These involve the gastrointestinal system (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), the central nervous system (drowsiness, fatigue, delirium), and the motor system (muscle twitching and fasciculation, difficulties in walking). Case presentation We present a unique case report in which a Caucasian patient (an Italian 64-year-old woman) who was undergoing smoking cessation treatment with cytisine, and due to her misunderstanding of the therapeutic indications provided, took twice the recommended dose every day for 8 days, leading to an intake of 54 mg/dl of cytisine for 3 consecutive days. Notwithstanding the high dosage, the patient did not report any adverse reactions. Conclusion This confirms the safety of the drug, even at high doses, in patients aiming to quit smoking.
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spelling doaj-art-73f82615c5bb4faeaa287122584f31dc2024-12-01T12:27:40ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472024-11-011811410.1186/s13256-024-04938-wAn example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case reportSimone Campagnari0Lorenzo Zamboni1Isabella Barbon2Francesca Fusina3Fabio Lugoboni4Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Verona University HospitalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Verona University HospitalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Verona University HospitalDepartment of General Psychology, University of PadovaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Addiction Unit, Verona University HospitalAbstract Background Cytisine is an alkaloid that is molecularly similar to nicotine and it is commonly used to treat smoking cessation. While it is considered a reasonably safe treatment option, cytisine intoxication in humans exhibits several adverse effects. These involve the gastrointestinal system (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), the central nervous system (drowsiness, fatigue, delirium), and the motor system (muscle twitching and fasciculation, difficulties in walking). Case presentation We present a unique case report in which a Caucasian patient (an Italian 64-year-old woman) who was undergoing smoking cessation treatment with cytisine, and due to her misunderstanding of the therapeutic indications provided, took twice the recommended dose every day for 8 days, leading to an intake of 54 mg/dl of cytisine for 3 consecutive days. Notwithstanding the high dosage, the patient did not report any adverse reactions. Conclusion This confirms the safety of the drug, even at high doses, in patients aiming to quit smoking.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04938-wCytisineTobaccoOverdoseSmoking cessationNicotine
spellingShingle Simone Campagnari
Lorenzo Zamboni
Isabella Barbon
Francesca Fusina
Fabio Lugoboni
An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Cytisine
Tobacco
Overdose
Smoking cessation
Nicotine
title An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report
title_full An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report
title_fullStr An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report
title_full_unstemmed An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report
title_short An example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side-effects: a case report
title_sort example of cytisine overdose with no consequent side effects a case report
topic Cytisine
Tobacco
Overdose
Smoking cessation
Nicotine
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04938-w
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