Health Encyclopedia

Phenothiazine overdose

Definition

Phenothiazine is a medication used to treat serious mental and emotional disorders. This article discusses an overdose of phenothiazine. Overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a certain substance.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

The poisonous ingredient is phenothiazine, which may be found in a variety of medications.

Where Found

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
Promethazine (Phenergan)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Airways and lungs
- Slowed breathing
- Stop breathing
Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry mouth
Bladder and kidneys
- Retention of urine
Muscles and joints
- Stiff muscles, especially of the face or neck
- Loss of muscle coordination
Heart and blood
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Agitation
- Clumsiness
- Coma
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Deep sleep
- Fainting
- Hallucinations (rare)
- Irritability
- Tremor
Other
- Changes in female menstrual pattern (from chronic doses)
- Fever
- Low body temperature
- Restlessness
- Weakness
Skin
- Rapid sunburn if exposed to the sun
Stomach and intestinal tract
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea

Home Treatment

Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the drug was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
EKG
Activated charcoal
Laxative
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison

Expectations (prognosis)

These overdoses often require treatment in a health care facility. If symptoms worsen, medical care may be required for up to a week.

Review Date:2/3/2009
Reviewed By:A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/29/2007).

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