Contac overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Contac overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of chlorpheniramine and phenylpropanolamine, which is an antihistamine.

Poisonous Ingredient:

chlorpheniramine
phenylpropanolamine

Where Found:

Contac

Symptoms:

body as a whole
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- dilated pupils
- blurred vision
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heartbeat
- increased blood pressure
nervous system
- depression
- excitation
- drowsiness
- nervousness
- hallucinations
- disorientation
- delirium

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 emesis unless seizures are imminent.
Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Administer a laxative.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the patient survives the first 24 hours, survival is likely. Few patients actually die from an antihistamine overdose (see antihistamines - oral, antihistamines and decongestants - oral).

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