Antidepressants overdose

Home treatment:

Contact Poison Control for further guidance.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

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 emesis has not occurred.

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
• 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. It may be necessary to use an ambulance.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

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

Expectations (prognosis):

The amount swallowed and time before appropriate therapy is initiated usually determines the final outcome. Loss of consciousness or convulsions often occur without warning. Patients have died as late as 72 hours after an overdose ingestion. The sooner therapy is applied, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.