Neuropsychiatric manifestations of bromide ingestion.

Bromides were formerly used for their sedative and anti-convulsant properties. The neuropsychiatric features of bromide intoxication have been recognized for many years (Barbour, Pilkington and Sargent, 1936). Carney (1971) described 5 cases of bromism and advocated stricter control on bromide preparations. Part III of the Medicine Act (1978) made potassium bromide available only by prescription. Bromides have been almost completely replaced by more effective and less toxic agents, and consequently bromide intoxication is now rare. However, there is evidence that it is under-diagnosed (Williams, 1974). We would like to report two cases of bromism seen over an 18-month period at a general hospital psychiatric unit. Bromide levels were measured by a modification of the method of Sunshine (1971).