BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPhenothiazine overdosePhenothiazines are medicines used to treat serious mental and emotional disorders, and to reduce nausea. This article discusses an overdose of phenothiazines. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a certain substance. This can be by accident or on purpose.OverdoseAn overdose is when you take more than the recommended amount of something, often a medicine or drug. An overdose may result in serious, harmful sym...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient The poisonous ingredient is phenothiazine, which may be found in many medicines. Where Found These medicines contain phenothiazine or a medicine that has a similar action:Chlorpromazine Clozapine Fluphenazine Haloperidol Loxapine Molindone Perphenazine Pimozide Prochlorperazine Thioridazine Thiothixene Trifluoperazine Promethazine Other medicines may also contain phenothiazine. Symptoms Below are symptoms of a phenothiazine overdose in different parts of the body.AIRWAYS AND LUNGSNo breathing Rapid breathing Shallow breathing BLADDER AND KIDNEYSDifficult or slow urination Inability to completely empty the bladder (urinary retention) EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROATBlurred vision Blurred visionThere are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Difficulty swallowing Drooling Dry mouth Nasal congestion Small or large pupils Sores in the mouth, on the tongue or in the throat Yellow eyes (icterus) HEART AND BLOODLow blood pressure (severe) Pounding heartbeat Rapid heartbeat MUSCLES AND JOINTSMuscle spasms Muscle stiffness Rapid, involuntary movements of the face (chewing, blinking, grimaces, and tongue movements) NERVOUS SYSTEMAgitation, irritability, confusion ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Convulsions (seizures) Disorientation, coma (lack of responsiveness) ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drowsiness Fever Low body temperature Restlessness linked with repeated foot shuffling, rocking, or pacing (akathisia) AkathisiaRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system problem that causes you to feel an unstoppable urge to get up and pace or walk. You feel uncomforta...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tremor, motor tics that the person cannot control (dystonia) DystoniaUncontrolled or slow movement is a problem with muscle tone, usually in the large muscle groups. The problem leads to slow, uncontrollable jerky mov...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Uncoordinated movement, slow movement, or shuffling (with long-term use or overuse) Weakness REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMChanges in menstrual patterns SKINRash Sun sensitivity, rapid sunburn Skin color changes STOMACH AND INTESTINESConstipation ConstipationConstipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of appetite NauseaSome of these symptoms may occur, even when the medicine is taken properly. Home Care Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the medicine, and strength, if known The amount swallowed The time it was swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Local poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.Tests may include:Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms Electrocardiogram (ECG)ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include:Activated charcoal Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator) Fluids through a vein (IV) Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) Recovery depends on the amount of damage. Survival past 2 days is usually a good sign. Nervous system symptoms may be permanent. The most serious side effects are usually due to damage to the heart. If heart damage can be stabilized, recovery is likely. Life threatening heart rhythm disturbances may be difficult to treat, and may result in death.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Neuroleptic drugs. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:53-119.Monas J, Skolnik AB. Antipsychotics. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 150.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 7/1/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Phenothiazine overdosePhenothiazines are medicines used to treat serious mental and emotional disorders, and to reduce nausea. This article discusses an overdose of phenothiazines. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a certain substance. This can be by accident or on purpose.OverdoseAn overdose is when you take more than the recommended amount of something, often a medicine or drug. An overdose may result in serious, harmful sym...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient The poisonous ingredient is phenothiazine, which may be found in many medicines. Where Found These medicines contain phenothiazine or a medicine that has a similar action:Chlorpromazine Clozapine Fluphenazine Haloperidol Loxapine Molindone Perphenazine Pimozide Prochlorperazine Thioridazine Thiothixene Trifluoperazine Promethazine Other medicines may also contain phenothiazine. Symptoms Below are symptoms of a phenothiazine overdose in different parts of the body.AIRWAYS AND LUNGSNo breathing Rapid breathing Shallow breathing BLADDER AND KIDNEYSDifficult or slow urination Inability to completely empty the bladder (urinary retention) EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROATBlurred vision Blurred visionThere are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Difficulty swallowing Drooling Dry mouth Nasal congestion Small or large pupils Sores in the mouth, on the tongue or in the throat Yellow eyes (icterus) HEART AND BLOODLow blood pressure (severe) Pounding heartbeat Rapid heartbeat MUSCLES AND JOINTSMuscle spasms Muscle stiffness Rapid, involuntary movements of the face (chewing, blinking, grimaces, and tongue movements) NERVOUS SYSTEMAgitation, irritability, confusion ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Convulsions (seizures) Disorientation, coma (lack of responsiveness) ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drowsiness Fever Low body temperature Restlessness linked with repeated foot shuffling, rocking, or pacing (akathisia) AkathisiaRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system problem that causes you to feel an unstoppable urge to get up and pace or walk. You feel uncomforta...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tremor, motor tics that the person cannot control (dystonia) DystoniaUncontrolled or slow movement is a problem with muscle tone, usually in the large muscle groups. The problem leads to slow, uncontrollable jerky mov...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Uncoordinated movement, slow movement, or shuffling (with long-term use or overuse) Weakness REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMChanges in menstrual patterns SKINRash Sun sensitivity, rapid sunburn Skin color changes STOMACH AND INTESTINESConstipation ConstipationConstipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of appetite NauseaSome of these symptoms may occur, even when the medicine is taken properly. Home Care Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the medicine, and strength, if known The amount swallowed The time it was swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Local poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.Tests may include:Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms Electrocardiogram (ECG)ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include:Activated charcoal Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator) Fluids through a vein (IV) Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) Recovery depends on the amount of damage. Survival past 2 days is usually a good sign. Nervous system symptoms may be permanent. The most serious side effects are usually due to damage to the heart. If heart damage can be stabilized, recovery is likely. Life threatening heart rhythm disturbances may be difficult to treat, and may result in death.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Neuroleptic drugs. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:53-119.Monas J, Skolnik AB. Antipsychotics. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 150.