Hoe veilig is 'veilig'? Een dodelijke auto-intoxicatie met mianserine en flurazepam

– Mianserin is an antidepressant agent of the so-called second generation. It is supposed to have fewer side effects and to be less toxic than tricyclic antidepressants; it is even said to be relatively safe.

Intoxication with mianserin may nevertheless be fatal, especially with a patient in a vulnerable condition and when combined with another ‘safe’ medicament. Auto-intoxication is therefore a serious risk of mianserin treatment, particularly in the elderly depressed patient.

We describe the case of a woman aged 75 years, who died after self-poisoning with mianserin and flurazepam.