MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Norpamin overdose

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Norpamin overdose

Contents of this page:
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)

Definition

Poisoning from an overdose of Norpramin.

Poisonous Ingredient

Desipramine

Where Found

Norpamin
Nebril
Nortimil
Pertofrane
Pertofrin
Sertofren

Symptoms

Body as a whole
- Dry mouth
- Urinary hesitancy
- Muscle rigidity
- Convulsions
- Shock
- Incoordination
Respiratory
- Difficulty breathing (slowed and labored)
- Pneumonia in a comatose patient
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Dilated pupils
Gastrointestinal
- Vomiting
Heart and blood vessels
- Rapid and irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Drowsiness
- Stupor
- Coma
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

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.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Administer activated charcoal.
Use gastric lavage.
Monitor vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure).
Maintain the airway.
Replace fluids if appropriate.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

The amount swallowed and time before treatment begins usually determine the final outcome. The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.

Update Date: 8/6/2003

Updated by: Ari Schwell, M.D., Director, Emergency Department of the Episcopal Campus of Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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.