Cyclizine Toxicity and Misuse in an Adolescent With Eating Disorder and Depression: A Case Report

Cyclizine is a first-generation H1 antihistamine widely used for the treatment of nausea and motion sickness. In addition to its antiemetic properties, it has anticholinergic and central nervous system effects that may confer psychoactive potential. Although generally regarded as a low-risk medication, increasing evidence suggests a potential for misuse, particularly among adolescents and individuals with mental health disorders or substance-use vulnerabilities. Published data on cyclizine toxicity are limited, and paediatric reports of intentional overdose remain scarce. We report a case of intentional cyclizine overdose in a 14-year-old girl with underlying mental health disorders, highlighting the clinical presentation, management considerations, including serial electrocardiographic assessment, and safeguarding implications. This case underscores the need for increased clinician awareness of cyclizine misuse and its potential harms in the paediatric population.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-01-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.101873
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Poisoning and overdose treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
38.36
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Cyclizine Toxicity and Misuse in an Adolescent With Eating Disorder and Depression: A Case Report

Ahmed Gamal Mohamed Abdelkhalk
1 citations
Cureus
Poisoning and overdose treatments
38.36
article

Cyclizine Toxicity and Misuse in an Adolescent With Eating Disorder and Depression: A Case Report

Ahmed Gamal Mohamed Abdelkhalk
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Cyclizine is a first-generation H1 antihistamine widely used for the treatment of nausea and motion sickness. In addition to its antiemetic properties, it has anticholinergic and central nervous system effects that may confer psychoactive potential. Although generally regarded as a low-risk medication, increasing evidence suggests a potential for misuse, particularly among adolescents and individuals with mental health disorders or substance-use vulnerabilities. Published data on cyclizine toxicity are limited, and paediatric reports of intentional overdose remain scarce. We report a case of intentional cyclizine overdose in a 14-year-old girl with underlying mental health disorders, highlighting the clinical presentation, management considerations, including serial electrocardiographic assessment, and safeguarding implications. This case underscores the need for increased clinician awareness of cyclizine misuse and its potential harms in the paediatric population.

CureusVol. 18(1)
King's College Hospital (GB)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Poisoning and overdose treatments
38.36
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.