olanzapine and Alkalosis--Respiratory

Olanzapine is increasingly used as a sleep aid in hospitalized patients. Although thought to have less extrapyramidal effects, known side effects include oversedation, arrythmias, and hypotension. We present the unusual case of hyperventilation with respiratory alkalosis after the administration of olanzapine for insomnia in an elderly postoperative patient. This led to a second admission to the intensive care unit with invasive interventions including mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. Caution must be exercised in prescribing antipsychotics for off-label use, especially in a population whose baseline characteristics can affect the pharmacokinetics of second-generation antipsychotics.

Topics: Aged; Alkalosis, Respiratory; Antipsychotic Agents; Humans; Hyperventilation; Olanzapine; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders