ABSTRACT
Background
Sildenafil citrate (Viagra®) is used to treat male erectile dysfunction; however,
little is known about the effects of sildenafil overdose and intoxication. We report
a patient who presented with cerebral infarction and rhabdomyolysis after intentional
sildenafil intoxication.
Case Report
A 61-year-old man visited the Emergency Department complaining of dysarthria about
1 h after taking more than 30 sildenafil tablets with the intention to commit suicide.
Dysarthria and dizziness were observed, but there were no other neurological symptoms.
The creatine kinase level was elevated to 3118 U/L, and the patient was diagnosed
with rhabdomyolysis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple scattered
acute cerebral infarctions in both midbrain artery branches. At 4 h post-intoxication,
the dysarthria had improved and we initiated dual antiplatelet therapy for cerebral
infarction.
Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians should be
able to anticipate and treat complications like cerebral infarction and rhabdomyolysis
after sildenafil intoxication.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 24, 2023
Accepted:
February 17,
2023
Received in revised form:
January 14,
2023
Received:
August 30,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Uncorrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
