| Definition: |
Poisoning from an overdose of amitriptyline hydrochloride, which is a tricyclic antidepressent.
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| Alternative Names: |
Elavil; Adepril; Endep; Enovil; Trepiline
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| Poisonous Ingredient: |
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| Where Found: |
- Adepril
- Elavil
- Endep
- Enovil
- Trepiline
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
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| Symptoms: |
- body as a whole
- respiratory
- eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- gastrointestinal
- increased appetite
- constipation
- weight gain
- vomiting
- heart and blood vessels
- nervous system
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| Home Treatment: |
Contact Poison Control to obtain treatment guidance.
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| 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
- if the medication was prescribed for the patient
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| 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.
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| What to expect at the emergency room: |
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:- Administer activated charcoal.
- Administer a laxative.
- Use gastric lavage.
- Monitor vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure).
- Maintain the patient's airway.
- Replace fluid if appropriate.
- Treat the symptoms.
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| Expectations (prognosis): |
A serious overdose of this drug almost always requires hospital care.
The amount swallowed and time before appropriate therapy is initiated usually determines final outcome. Patients have died as late as 72 hours after ingesting an overdose. The sooner therapy is applied, the greater chance of a positive outcome. This can be an extremely serious overdose
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