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Chlorpromazine overdose

Definition

Poisonous Ingredient

Chlorpromazine

Where Found

• Thorazine
• Largactil

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Whole body
  • Hypothermia (body temperature is lower than normal)
  • Fever
• Bladder and kidneys
  • Urinary hesitancy
• Muscles, bones, and joints
  • Stiff muscles in neck or back or muscle spasms
• Reproductive system
  • Alteration of menstrual patterns
• Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
  • Nasal congestion
  • Blurred vision
  • Ulcers on the gums, tongue or in the throat
  • Yellow eyes
  • Dry mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Excessive salivation
• Skin
  • Rash
• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure (severe)
  • Rapid, irregular heartbeat
  • Convulsions
• Nervous system
  • Drowsiness
  • Coma
  • Disorientation
  • Uncoordinated movement
  • Tremor
  • Weakness

Home Care

DO NOT make the person throw up.

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 U.S. 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. The patient may receive:

• Fluids by IV
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty 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.

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Review Date: 2/28/2006
Reviewed By: Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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