What is Tolmetin Overdose?
- Tolmetin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used for treating some forms of arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It helps relieve symptoms of joint pain and inflammation, including sprains and muscle stiffnesses
- Tolmetin 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)
Tolmetin Overdose may be also referred to as Tolectin Overdose or Tolmetin Sodium Overdose.
What are the Causes of Tolmetin Overdose?
- Tolmetin Overdose is caused by intake of tolmetin containing drug in dosage that is higher than prescribed
- It is sold as Tolectin and Novo-tolmetin among others
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tolmetin Overdose?
The signs and symptoms of Tolmetin 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 digestive system, nervous system, respiratory system, skin and ENT may be affected.
The signs and symptoms of Tolmetin Overdose may include
- Breathing difficulties including rapid breathing; wheezing
- Nausea and vomiting (blood in vomit, in some cases)
- Epigastric pain or abdominal pain
- Internal bleeding affecting the stomach and GI tract
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Feeling dizzy or drowsy
- Confusion and increased nervousness/unsteadiness
- Disorientation, mumbling (incoherence)
- Shaking or tremors; seizures
- Rashes on the skin
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Vision abnormalities including blurred vision
- Renal failure in severe cases
- Coma
How is First Aid administered for Tolmetin Overdose?
First Aid tips for Tolmetin Overdose:
- If the individual with Tolmetin 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
- Induce vomiting, unless NOT instructed by a healthcare professional, or if the individual is having convulsions or severe breathing issues
- Stay with the affected individual until medical help arrives
- Avoid any home remedies, which may only worsen the condition
- 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:
- Monitor vital signs
- Conduct blood and urine tests, obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG), and undertake imaging scans, as needed
- Gastric lavage for elimination of drug from the stomach (irrigation using special solutions)
- Medically manage symptoms, such as seizures
- 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
- Blood loss due to severe gastrointestinal bleeding may necessitate blood transfusion
- Kidney damage may necessitate the use of a dialysis machine
Who should administer First Aid for Tolmetin Overdose?
First aid for Tolmetin 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 Tolmetin Overdose?
- The prognosis of Tolmetin Overdose is dependent on the amount of drug consumed, time between overdose and treatment, severity of the presenting symptoms, as well as general health status of the patient
- If the individual can recover from the symptoms with appropriate medication and early treatment support, the outcome is generally good
- In case of complications including kidney failure, severe internal (GI tract) bleeding, and coma, it may considerably worsen the outcome. Damage to the kidneys may be irreversible
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 Tolmetin Overdose be Prevented?
Tolmetin Overdose can be prevented by:
- Always taking the right dose of medication at recommended times
- Avoiding drugs that might interact with tolmetin
- Talking to your healthcare provider if recommended dose of tolmetin does not provide adequate relief
- DO NOT continue to take medications beyond the prescribed dose duration before checking with and obtaining permission of the consulting physician
- Refraining from self-medication
- Avoiding alcohol while taking any medication
- DO NOT recommend or share medications you are taking with others who may have similar or near similar health conditions
- Exercising caution while taking multiple drugs with tolmetin
- 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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