Cyproheptadine overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of cyproheptadine, which is an antihistamine.

Poisonous Ingredient:

Cyproheptadine

Where Found:

Periactin
Klarivitina
Nuran

This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Bladder and kidneys
- Can't urinate
Eyes, ears, nose, mouth,�and throat
- Enlarged pupils
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Severely dry eyes
- Ringing in the ears
Heart and blood
- Rapid heartbeat
- Convulsions
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Dpression
- Excitation
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Nervousness
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Delirium
- Seizures
- Increased sleepiness
- Unsteadiness
- Tremor

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medicine was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room:

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicines to make the person throw up (unless the person may have seizures)
Activated charcoal
Laxative
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)��

Expectations (prognosis):

If the patient survives the first 24 hours, survival is likely. Few patients actually die from an antihistamine overdose.

Review Date: 4/4/2006
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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