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Phenothiazine overdose

Definition

Phenothiazine is a medication used to treat serious mental and emotional disorders. This article discusses an overdose of phenothiazine. Overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a certain substance.

Poisonous Ingredient

The poisonous ingredient is phenothiazine, which may be found in a variety of medications.

Where Found

• Acetophenazine
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Chlorprothixene (Taractan)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Loxapine (Loxitane)
• Mesoridazine (Serentil)
• Molindone (Moban)
• Perphenazine (Trilafon)
• Pimozide (Orap)
• Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
• Promazine (Sparine)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• Thiothixene (Navane)
• Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• Triflupromazine
• Promethazine (Phenergan)

Symptoms

• Airways and lungs
  • Slowed breathing
  • Stop breathing
• Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Dilated pupils
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Dry mouth
• Bladder and kidneys
  • Retention of urine
• Muscles and joints
  • Stiff muscles, especially of the face or neck
  • Loss of muscle coordination
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
• Nervous system
  • Agitation
  • Clumsiness
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Deep sleep
  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations (rare)
  • Irritability
  • Tremor
• Other
  • Changes in female menstrual pattern (from chronic doses)
  • Fever
  • Low body temperature
  • Restlessness
  • Weakness
• Skin
  • Rapid sunburn if exposed to the sun
• Stomach and intestinal tract
  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea

Home Care

Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• When it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed
• If the drug was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Medicines to treat symptoms
• EKG
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison

Outlook (Prognosis)

These overdoses often require treatment in a health care facility. If symptoms worsen, medical care may be required for up to a week.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.