Fluoxetine-Induced Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion: A Geriatric Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

In a frail, elderly, depressed patient, hyponatremia can present a difficult diagnostic and management challenge. We report the case of a severely depressed 83-year-old woman presenting with severe hyponatremia, eventually attributed to a syndrome of inappropriate, antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion induced by fluoxetine. This case is discussed in the context of the multiple potential causes of hyponatremia in an elderly depressed patient, with a focus on fluoxetine-induced SIADH, as reported in 9 other published cases.