PERSISTENT DELUSIONS AFTER PENTAZOCINE

A case of persistent delusions, thought to be a manifestation of pentazocine related psychosis, was observed in a 29 year old male. About 11 days before referral to a psychiatric service, the patient had a minor muscle strain and was given a prescription for pentazocine SOmg tid and methocarbamol 750mg tid. The patient experienced vertigo and numbness and just prior to admission, the patient developed the delusion that he had been shot; this belief was so strong that he brought himself to an emergency room for treatment. A tablet count revealed that 18 of his pentazocine tablets were missing. The patient had not previously been treated for psychiatric problems, and his only medical problem was intermittent hypertension which was untreated. The patient did not have visual or auditory hallucinations. Several days later, the 11th day after admission, the patient was discharged, and 2 days later he still expressed the belief that he had been shot. At 2 weeks after discharge, the patient's delusion was resolved.

'Such a case of persistent delusional thinking secondary to pentazocine administration has not been reported previously. '

Blazer, D.G. and Haller, L.: Diseases of the Nervous System 37:404 (Jul1975)

I NPHARMA 30th August, 1975 p.9