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Amitriptyline and perphenazine overdose

Etrafon overdose; Triavil overdose; Triptazine overdose

 

Amitriptyline and perphenazine is a combination drug. It is sometimes prescribed for people with depression, agitation, or anxiety.

Amitriptyline and perphenazine overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. 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

 

Amitriptyline and perphenazine can be very harmful in large amounts.

 

Where Found

 

Medicines with these brand names contain amitriptyline and perphenazine:

  • Etrafon
  • PMS-Levazine
  • Triavil
  • Triptazine

Other medicines may also contain amitriptyline and perphenazine.

 

Symptoms

 

Below are symptoms of an amitriptyline and perphenazine overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

  • Slowed breathing
  • No breathing

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

  • Hard to start urinating , and urine stream may be weak
  • Inability to completely empty the bladder

EYES, EARS, NOSE, THROAT, AND MOUTH

  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Enlarged pupils
  • Nasal congestion
  • Unpleasant taste in mouth

HEART AND BLOOD

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure (severe)
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shock

MUSCLES AND JOINTS

  • Muscles are rigid
  • Muscle spasms
  • Stiff muscles in neck, face, or back

NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Agitation
  • Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
  • Convulsions
  • Disorientation
  • Drowsiness
  • Fever Lack of alertness
  • Lower than normal body temperature
  • Restlessness
  • Seizures
  • Uncoordinated movement
  • Tremor
  • Weakness

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

  • Change in menstrual patterns

SKIN

  • Itchy skin
  • Rash

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount 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 to the hospital with you, if possible.

The health care 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 a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Chest x-ray
  • EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Laxative
  • Medicines to treat symptoms (including one to reverse the effects of the poison)
  • Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage )

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

An overdose of amitriptyline and perphenazine can be very serious.

People who overdose on this drug are almost always admitted to the hospital.

How well someone does depends on how much of the drug they swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster they get medical help, the better the chance of recovery. Complications such as pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a long period of time, or brain damage from lack of oxygen may result in permanent disability. Death can occur.

 

 

Open References

References

Brush DE, Aaron CK. Tricyclic and other cyclic antidepressants. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007:chap 27.

Huffman JC, Beach SR, Stern TA. Side effects of psychotropic medications. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Psychopharmacology and Neurotherapeutics . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 12.

Velez LI, Feng S-Y. Anticholinergics. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 150.

 

        A Closer Look

         

          Self Care

           

            Tests for Amitriptyline and perphenazine overdose

             
               

              Review Date: 10/13/2015

              Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

              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. 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.

               
               
               

               

               

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