What is Phenothiazine Overdose?
- Phenothiazine is an antipsychotic drug that is used in treating severe cases of emotional and mental conditions (psychotic disorders)
- Phenothiazine Overdose is the accidental or intentional intake of the drug in dosage higher than prescribed values
- The condition is diagnosed based upon the clinical history, combination of signs and symptoms, and additional tests (that may include, in some cases, radiological studies and laboratory tests)
What are the Causes of Phenothiazine Overdose?
- Phenothiazine Overdose is caused by the intake of phenothiazine containing drug in dosage that is higher than prescribed
- This intake could be accidental, or in some cases intentional, to bring self-harm
- It is sold as Acetophenazine, Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Chlorprothixene (Taractan), Clozapine (Clozaril), Fluphenazine (Prolixin), Haloperidol (Haldol), Loxapine (Loxitane), Mesoridazine (Serentil), Molindone (Moban), Perphenazine (Trilafon), Pimozide (Orap), Prochlorperazine (Compazine), Promazine (Sparine), Thioridazine (Mellaril), Thiothixene (Navane), Trifluoperazine (Stelazine), Triflupromazine, and Promethazine (Phenergan) among others
Note: The drug can interact with other prescribed or non-prescribed medications in the body. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug or other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects (such as an overdose).
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Phenothiazine Overdose?
The signs and symptoms of Phenothiazine Overdose can vary from one individual to another. It may be mild in some and severe in others. Several systems of the body, such as the muscular system, digestive system, nervous system, vascular system, urinary system, skin and ENT may be affected.
The signs and symptoms of Phenothiazine Overdose may include:
- Urinary difficulties
- Unable to breathe or rapid breathing
- Nausea, vomiting
- Increased heart-rate
- Hypertension or hypotension (high or low blood pressure respectively)
- Lethargy and weakness
- Restlessness and irritability, appetite loss
- Stiff muscles, muscular spasms affecting the head and neck area
- Confusion and awkwardness; lack of proper muscle coordination
- Shaking or tremors; seizures
- Flushed skin, the skin may stay warm
- Mouth ulcers that may affect the throat
- Dryness in the mouth, or drooling
- Ringing in the ears
- Yellow-colored eyes, bluish-colored skin
- Prone to easy sunburns on sun-exposure
- Vision abnormalities including blurred vision, brown-tinged vision
- Fever or reduced body temperature
- In females, use of the drug for a long duration may affect the menstrual cycle
- Deep sleep
- Coma
How is First Aid administered for Phenothiazine Overdose?
First Aid tips for Phenothiazine Overdose:
- If the individual with Phenothiazine Overdose is in a coma, or is experiencing life-threatening symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency help number) immediately
- Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or your local poison control center) for further instructions
- Provide them with information such as dosage, type of drug taken, strength and time of ingestion of medication, age, weight and general health status of affected individual
- Confirm that the airways are protected; also, ensure breathing and the presence of pulse
- Unless instructed by a healthcare professional, DO NOT induce vomiting in the affected individual
- Take individual to emergency room (ER) for further treatment
- Always try to take the medication strip/bottle/container to the ER
The emergency medical health professional might perform the following steps towards treating the condition:
- Gastric lavage for elimination of drug from the stomach (irrigation using special solutions)
- Administer suitable medicines to counter the drug effects
- Medically manage symptoms, such as abnormal heart rate and high or low blood pressure
- Provide breathing support, if necessary
- Administer activated charcoal to avoid absorbance of drug in the body
- Administer laxatives for elimination of drug from the body
- Administer fluids by an intravenous drip line
Who should administer First Aid for Phenothiazine Overdose?
First aid for Phenothiazine Overdose is administered by healthcare professionals.
- The individual who overdosed, or someone near, should call 911 for emergency assistance (or the local emergency number)
- They should also call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow instructions
What is the Prognosis of Phenothiazine Overdose?
- The prognosis of Phenothiazine Overdose is dependent on the amount of drug consumed, time between overdose and treatment, severity of the symptoms, as well as general health status of the patient
- If the individual can recover from the symptoms within a period of 48 hours, with appropriate medication and support, the outcome is generally good
- In case of severe symptoms affecting the heart, seizures, and coma, it may considerably worsen the outcome. In some cases, the damage to the nervous system may be permanent
In general, overdoses are common situations in the emergency departments. A majority of the cases are often not fatal, when appropriate treatment is given.
How can Phenothiazine Overdose be Prevented?
Phenothiazine Overdose can be prevented by:
- Always taking the right dose of medication at recommended times
- Avoiding drugs that might interact with phenothiazine
- Talking to your healthcare provider, if recommended dose of phenothiazine does not provide adequate relief
- Refrain from self-medication
- Exercising caution while taking multiple drugs with phenothiazine
- Keeping medications out of reach of children in child-proof containers
- For older individuals and those who tend to be forgetful, medications should be stored in single dose containers with time labels, to avoid multiple dosage
- Monitor intake of this drug especially in patients, who have depression or harbor suicidal thoughts and behavior
It is important to give your healthcare provider a complete list of prescription and non-prescription medications that are being currently taken. This will help them in assessing the possible drug interactions within various medications and help avoid/prevent accidental or unintentional toxic drug effects.
What are certain Crucial Steps to be followed?
- Call 911 (or your local emergency number) for emergency assistance, if symptoms are life-threatening
- Call Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow the recommend steps
- It would be helpful if the following information is readily available:
- Type, dosage and time of administration of medication
- Age and weight of the individual
- And, the overall health status of the individual
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