Phenothiazine overdose

Phenothiazines are medicines used to treat serious mental and emotional disorders, and to reduce nausea. This article discusses an overdose of phenothiazines. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a certain substance. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

The poisonous ingredient is phenothiazine, which may be found in many medicines.

Where Found

These medicines contain phenothiazine:

• 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)

Other medicines may also contain phenothiazine.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of a phenothiazine overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

• No breathing
• Rapid breathing
• Shallow breathing

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

• Cannot urinate

EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROAT

• Blurred vision

  Blurred vision

  There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: HalosBlurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see ...

   

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• Congested nose
• Drooling
• Dry mouth
• Swallowing difficulties
• Sores in the mouth, on the tongue, or in the throat
• Vision color changes (things look brownish)
• Yellow eyes

HEART AND BLOOD

• High or very low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid heartbeat

MUSCLES AND JOINTS

• Muscle spasms, particularly of the neck, face, and back
• Muscle stiffness

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Agitation
• Clumsiness

  Clumsiness

  Uncoordinated movement is due to a muscle control problem that causes an inability to coordinate movements. It leads to a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fr...

   

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• Coma

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...

   

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• Confusion

  Confusion

  Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...

   

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• Convulsions
• Deep sleep
• Difficulty walking or a shuffling gait
• Fainting
• Hallucinations (rare)
• Lack of coordination
• Irritability
• Needing to move, restlessness
• Tremor
• Weakness

SKIN

• Rapid sunburn if exposed to the sun
• Bluish skin (changing to purplish)

STOMACH AND INTESTINAL TRACT

• Constipation

  Constipation

  Constipation in infants and children occurs when they have hard stools or have problems passing stools.  A child may have pain while passing stools o...

   

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• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

OTHER

• Changes in menstrual pattern in women, from long-term use
• Fever
• Low body temperature

Home Care

Seek medical help right away.

Do NOT make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the medicine, and strength, if known
• The amount swallowed
• The time it was swallowed
• If the medicine was prescribed for the person

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) 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.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

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

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

• Activated charcoal
• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including oxygen and tube through the mouth into the lungs
• Chest x-ray
• CT scan (advanced brain imaging)
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Intravenous (IV) fluids through a vein
• Laxative
• Medicine to reverse the effects of the drug
• Tube placed down the nose and into the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Recovery depends on the amount of damage. Survival past 2 days is usually a good sign. Nervous system symptoms may be permanent. The most serious side effects are usually due to damage to the heart. If heart damage can be stabilized, recovery is likely.