This is poisoning from ingestion of a calcium antagonist.
Poisonous Ingredient
any of the following
amlodipine
bepridil
diltiazem
felodipine
isradipine
nicardipine
nifedipine
nimodipine
verapamil
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Where Found
amlodipine (Norvasc)
bepridil (Vascor)
diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor)
felodipine (Plendil)
isradipine (DynaCirc)
nicardipine (Cardene)
nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
nimodipine (Nimotop)
verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms
body as a whole
weakness
dizziness
drowsiness
confusion
slurred speech
gastrointestinal
nausea
constipation
heart and blood vessels
low blood pressure
slow heartbeat
irregular heartbeat
respiratory
shortness of breath
Home Treatment
Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or a health professional.
Before Calling Emergency
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
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:
Induce vomiting
Administer activated charcoal
Administer a laxative
Use gastric lavage
monitor vital signs
treatment of symptoms
maintain blood pressure within normal limits
monitor heart
Expectations (prognosis)
The prognosis (probable outcome):
Death is not the usual outcome of calcium antagonist poisoning, although some deaths have occurred. Patients with heart beat or blood pressure changes usually require hospitalization. Update Date: 1/29/2004Updated 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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