Beta blockers overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Beta blockers overdose

Definition:

This is poisoning from ingestion of a beta blocker.

Poisonous Ingredient:

acebutolol
atenolol
betaxolol
bisoprolol
carteolol
esmolol
labetalol
metoprolol
nadolol
penbutolol
pindolol
propranolol
sotalol
timolol

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found:

acebutolol
atenolol
betaxolol
bisoprolol
carteolol
esmolol
labetalol
metoprolol
nadolol
sotalol
oxprenolol
penbutolol
pindolol
propranolol
timolol

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- confusion
- excessive sweating
- lightheadedness
- nervousness
- weakness
respiratory
- decreased breathing rate
- difficulty breathing, wheezing (in asthmatics)
- stop breathing
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- blurred vision
- double vision
heart and blood vessels
nervous system
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- coma
- convulsions

Home Treatment:

Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

induce vomiting
administer activated charcoal
monitor vital signs ( blood pressure, pulse, and so forth)
monitor EKG (monitors heart function)
maintenance of blood pressure within normal limits
lavage
correction of abnormal heart rhythms

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis (probable outcome):
Most overdose patients require hospitalization. Death may follow low blood pressure or heart arrhythmias.

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