Causes and Risks:

• amitriptyline

Where Found:

• Elavil
• Emitrip
• Endep
• Enovil

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • dry mouth
  • urinary hesitancy
  • muscle rigidity
  • convulsions (sudden onset)
  • shock
  • incoordination
• respiratory
  • slowed, labored breathing
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • blurred vision
• gastrointestinal
  • vomiting
• heart and blood vessels
  • low blood pressure
• nervous system
  • drowsiness
  • stupor
  • coma (sudden onset)
  • agitation
  • restlessness

Home Treatment: The normal treatment is to induce emesis (vomiting) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions; however, before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment.

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

Call Poison Control: 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: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

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

A serious overdose of this drug almost always requires hospital care.
The amount swallowed and time before appropriate therapy is initiated usually determines final outcome. Patients have died as late as 72 hours after ingesting an overdose. The sooner therapy is applied, the greater chance of a positive outcome.