Dr. Butterfield is Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Community Health Network, Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Eaves is Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Midtown/Eskenazi Health, and Dr. Ott is Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacist/Clinical Professor, Pharmacy, Eskenazi Health/Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Disclosures The authors report no financial relationships with any companies whose products are mentioned in this article, or with manufacturers of competing products.
The primary treatment for SIADH is cessation of the offending agent. Based on the patient’s clinical presentation, free water restriction (.5 to 1 L/d) can be implemented to increase serum sodium levels. If the patient is having neurologic complications due to the severity of hyponatremia, correction with hypertonic saline is indicated. Upon resolution, the recommended course of action is to switch to a medication in a different class. Re-challenging the patient with the same medication is not recommended unless there is no other alternative class of medication.24 Table 626 highlights other causes of hyponatremia, what laboratory markers to assess, and how to treat high-risk individuals.
Hyponatremia is a complex medical complication that can be life-threatening. Psychotropics are a relatively common cause of hyponatremia, specifically SIADH. Older adults appear to be at highest risk, as most case reports are in patients age ≥65. Patients who are prescribed psychotropics should be treated with the lowest effective dose and monitored for signs and symptoms of hyponatremia throughout therapy.
Related Resources
Spasovski G, Vanholder R, Allolio B, et al. Clinical practice guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia. Eur J Endocrinol. 2014;170(3):G1-G47.
Verbalis JG, Goldsmith SR, Greenberg A, et al. Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hyponatremia: expert panel recommendations. Am J Med. 2013;126(10 Suppl 1):S1-S42.
