Meclofenamate overdose
Meclofenamate is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat arthritis. Meclofenamate overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.
This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has an overdose, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.
Overdose
An overdose is when you take more than the normal or recommended amount of something, often a drug. An overdose may result in serious, harmful sympt...
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Meclofenamate can be harmful in large amounts.
Symptoms
Below are symptoms of a meclofenamate overdose in different parts of the body.
EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT
- Blurred vision
Blurred vision
There 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 - Ringing in the ears
Ringing in the ears
Tinnitus is the medical term for "hearing" noises in your ears. It occurs when there is no outside source of the sounds. Tinnitus is often called "r...
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HEART AND BLOOD
- Congestive heart failure (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, leg swelling)
- High or low blood pressure
KIDNEYS
- Decreased urine output
- No urine output
LUNGS AND AIRWAYS
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Headache
Headache
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Agitation
Agitation
Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
Coma
Decreased alertness is the most severe state of reduced awareness and is a serious condition. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a p...
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Confusion
Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...
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- Drowsiness
Drowsiness
Drowsiness refers to feeling more sleepy than normal during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in when they do not want to or at times w...
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- Numbness and tingling
- Seizures
- Unsteadiness
SKIN
- Blistering rash
- Bruising
- Sweating
STOMACH AND INTESTINES
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting (sometimes with blood)
Nausea
Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up is forcing the contents of the stomach ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Possible loss of blood through the stomach and intestines
- Stomach pain
Stomach pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
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Home Care
Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.
Before Calling Emergency
Have this information ready:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (and ingredients and strength, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount 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.
Poison control center
For 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 ArticleThis 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 to the hospital with you, if possible.
The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
Tests that may be done include:
- Blood and urine tests
- Chest x-ray
- ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
Treatment may include:
- Fluids through a vein (by IV)
- Medicine to treat stomach inflammation and bleeding, breathing problems, and other symptoms
- Activated charcoal
- Laxative
- Tube through the mouth into the stomach if vomiting contains blood
- Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well someone does depends on how much meclofenamate was swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.
This type of overdose does not usually cause serious problems. The person may have some stomach pain and vomiting (possibly with blood). However, serious side effects can occur. Severe internal bleeding is possible, and a blood transfusion may be needed. A procedure called an endoscopy may be required to stop internal bleeding. In this procedure, a tube with a camera on it is passed through the mouth into the stomach.
If kidney damage is severe, dialysis may be needed until kidney function returns. In some cases, the damage is permanent.
A large overdose can cause serious damage to children and adults. Death may occur.
References
Aronson JK. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:236-272.
Hatten BW. Aspirin and nonsteroidal agents. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 144.
Review Date: 10/3/2019
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.