Thioridazine overdose

Home treatment:

Discontinue use of the medication.

Standard procedure is to induce emesis (vomiting) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control for verification.

If instructed to induce emesis, 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 adults. Follow with one-half glassful or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8-12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat one more time in one-half hour if emesis has not occurred.

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:

• Induce emesis.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Fluid replacement.
• Antidote may be given.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery depends on the nature of the damage done by the overdose. Survival past 2 days is usually a good sign.