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Chlorpromazine overdose
Definition
Chlorpromazine is a prescription medication used to treat pyschotic disorders. It may also be used for other reasons, such as preventing nausea and vomiting.
Chlorpromazine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
Poisonous Ingredient
Chlorpromazine
Where Found
- Thorazine
- Largactil
Symptoms
- Bladder and kidneys
- Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry mouth
- Excessive salivation
- Stuffy nose
- Ulcers on the gums, tongue, or in the throat
- Yellow eyes
- Heart and blood
- Low blood pressure (severe)
- Rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Muscles, bones, and joints
- Muscle spasms
- Stiff muscles in neck or back
- Nervous system
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Fever
- Low body temperature
- Tremor
- Uncoordinated movement
- Weakness
- Reproductive system
- Change in female menstrual pattern
- Skin
- Rash
- Stomach and intestines
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Home Care
Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.
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 medication 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: National Poison Control Center
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:
- Activated charcoal
- Fluids by IV
- Laxative
- Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
- Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
Outlook (Prognosis)
Recovery depends on the nature of the damage done by the overdose. Survival past 2 weeks is usually a good sign, with full recovery taking 4 to 8 weeks.
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
