Dextromethorphan overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Dextromethorphan overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of dextromethorphan.

Poisonous Ingredient:

dextromethorphan

Where Found:

Robitussin DM
Triaminic DM
Rondec DM
Benylin DM
Drixoral
St. Joseph Cough Suppressant

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- muscle spasticity
heart and blood vessels
- low blood pressure
respiratory
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- blurred vision
skin
- bluish colored fingernails and lips
gastrointestinal
- spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
- nausea
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heart beat
- high blood pressure
nervous system
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- hallucinations

Home Treatment:

Call Poison Control.

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:

Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Give a counteracting (narcotic antagonist)--multiple doses if needed.
Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
Monitor breathing.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 1 to 4 hours.

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