MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diphenhydramine hydrochloride overdose

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Diphenhydramine hydrochloride overdose

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Treatment Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names

Benadryl; Sominex

Definition Return to top

Poisoning from an overdose of diphenhydramine.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

diphenhydramine

Where Found Return to top

Benadryl

Symptoms Return to top

body as a whole
- unsteadiness
- convulsions
- delirium
respiratory
- slow, labored breathing
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- ringing in the ears
- blurred vision
- very dry mouth and throat
gastrointestinal
- nausea and/or vomiting
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- dry mucous membranes
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heart rate
nervous system
- dizziness
- agitation
- incoherence (not understandable)
- confusion
- coma
- drowsiness
- movement disorder

Home Treatment Return to top

The standard procedure is to induce vomiting unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Before inducing vomiting, contact Poison Control for verification.

If instructed to induce vomiting, the standard procedure is as follows:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult.
Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults.
Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if vomiting has not occurred.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

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 Return to top

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 Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Induce vomiting.
Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Administer a laxative.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Recovery is very likely.

Update Date: 9/2/2003

Updated by: A.D.A.M. editorial.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.