Amitriptyline and Perphenazine overdose

Alternative Names

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

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 United States 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

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. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Antidote (sodium bicarbonate) to reverse the effects of the overdose
• Breathing help, possible artificial respiration
• Fluids
• Laxative
• Tube from the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on how much of the drug was swallowed and how quickly medical treatment was received. The faster a patient receives medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Survival past 2 weeks is usually a good sign.

References

Woolf AD, Erdman AR, Nelson LS, et al. American Association of Poison Control Centers. Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. Clin Toxicol. 2007;45(3):203-33.