Acute Confusional State Caused by Tipepidine Hibenzate Intoxication in an Elderly: Caution About Suspended Solution

Abstract

Tipepidine hibenzate is a non-opioid, centrally acting cough suppressant. Although overdose can cause altered mental status and other neurological symptoms, there have been no reports of tipepidine intoxication in an adult. We report a case of an elderly woman who presented with an acute confusional state and choreiform movements of her lower extremities due to tipepidine hibenzate intoxication. Over-ingestion of a thick precipitate of suspended tipepidine syrup possibly caused the acute intoxication in this case. It is important to recognize that tipepidine can cause acute intoxication and central nervous system symptoms, and unintentional overdosage could occur when prescribing the suspended syrup of the drug.

Tipepidine intoxication due to insufficient suspending of syrup formulation

“…There have been several reports of tipepidine intoxication 2,3 . Centrally acting non‐narcotic antitussives, like tipepidine, inhibit G‐protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels.…”