Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)
- Treat involuntary laughing/crying episodes
- Dextromethorphan/quinidine is FDA-approved
- Benefit is independent of antidepressant effect
- SSRIs/TCAs are sometimes used off-label
- Review QT + CYP2D6 interaction burden
- Distinguish PBA from depression/mood lability
- Treat underlying neurologic disease separately
Use at a glance
- Treat involuntary laughing/crying episodes
Practical pearls
- Dextromethorphan/quinidine is FDA-approved
Other practical pearls
- Benefit is independent of antidepressant effect
- SSRIs/TCAs are sometimes used off-label
Clinical pearls
- Review QT + CYP2D6 interaction burden
- Distinguish PBA from depression/mood lability
- Treat underlying neurologic disease separately
Self-check
- Which combination is FDA-approved for pseudobulbar affect?
Dextromethorphan/quinidine. - What must PBA be distinguished from?
Depression/mood lability.
Drugs used for this (3)
All clinical uses · Open Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in the interactive console ↗