Activation syndrome caused by paroxetine in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies

Activation syndrome is a severe adverse effect caused by antidepressants. It is more frequently induced by paroxetine than by other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, there have been no descriptions of demented patients with activation syndrome derived from paroxetine. Herein, we report on three cases of dementia with Lewy bodies who suffered from activation syndrome induced by paroxetine. These symptoms rapidly disappeared following discontinuation of paroxetine. The present cases lead us to speculate that paroxetine is injurious to patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.