Cited by 125Ginkgo biloba and Cashew ApplicationsPharmaceutical Practices and Patient OutcomesPoisoning and overdose treatments

Coma in a patient with Alzheimer's disease taking low dose trazodone and Ginkgo biloba

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GALLUZZI, S.·2000·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

Abstract

We describe a patient with Alzheimer's disease who developed coma a few days after starting low dose trazodone associated with ginkgo biloba. Coma was reversed by flumazenil, a specific antagonist of the benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptor. The finding is relevant in that, although the sedative effects of trazodone are well known, the drug is inactive on the BDZ receptor. On the other hand, ginkgo is active on the receptor, but sedation has so far never been reported. Pathway from trazodone to coma. In March 1999, an 80 year old woman was first evaluated in our facility and given a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) of a moderate severity (mini mental state examination of 10/30). She had no physical comorbidity or vascular risk factors. At the time of observation she was taking 3.5 mg bromazepam for mild restlessness, anxiety, and irritability, with only partial benefit (neuropsychiatric inventory: anxiety 4/12, irritability/lability 3/12). …

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Crossref · 10.1136/jnnp.68.5.679a

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5 of 5 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
GALLUZZI, S.
Affiliations
University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
Corresponding author
GALLUZZI, S.
Venue
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2000-05-01
Volume
68
Issue
5
Pages
679a-680
ISSN
0022-3050 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2103060442
Cited by
125
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
21.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Ginkgo biloba and Cashew Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Poisoning and overdose treatments
Keywords
coma, Alzheimer's disease, trazodone, Ginkgo biloba, benzodiazepine receptor, flumazenil, drug interactions, sedation, bromazepam, adverse drug reactions
MeSH terms
Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Coma, Drug Interactions, Female, Humans, Plants, Medicinal, Trazodone, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Receptors, GABA, Ginkgo biloba

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