MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Amitriptyline hydrochloride overdose

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Amitriptyline 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

Elavil; Adepril; Endep; Enovil; Trepiline

Definition Return to top

Poisoning from an overdose of amitriptyline hydrochloride, which is a tricyclic antidepressent.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

amitriptyline

Where Found Return to top

Adepril
Elavil
Endep
Enovil
Trepiline

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

body as a whole
- dry mouth
- urinary hesitancy
- muscle rigidity
- convulsions (sudden onset)
- shock
- incoordination
respiratory
- slowed, labored breathing
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- blurred vision
gastrointestinal
- increased appetite
- constipation
- weight gain
- vomiting
heart and blood vessels
- low blood pressure
- rapid heart rate
nervous system
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- headache
- stupor
- coma (sudden onset)
- agitation
- restlessness
- hallucinations

Home Treatment Return to top

Contact Poison Control to obtain treatment guidance.

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
if the medication was prescribed for the patient

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:

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

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

A serious overdose of this drug almost always requires hospital care.
The amount swallowed and time before appropriate therapy is initiated usually determines final outcome. Patients have died as late as 72 hours after ingesting an overdose. The sooner therapy is applied, the greater chance of a positive outcome. This can be an extremely serious overdose

Update Date: 2/12/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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