Amitriptyline hydrochloride overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from taking an excessive amount of amitriptyline hydrochloride, a tricyclic antidepressant.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

Amitriptyline

Where Found

Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a prescription medication. Brands include:

• Adepril
• Amitid
• Amitril
• Elavil
• Emitrip
• Endep
• Enovil
• Trepiline
• Tryptanol
• Vanatrip

Symptoms

Nervous system

• Convulsions (sudden onset)
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Inability to concentrate
• Stupor (lack of alertness)
• Coma (sudden onset)
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Uncoordinated movement  
• Muscle rigidity

Heart and blood

• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Shock
• Fatigue (severe)

Lungs

• Slowed, labored breathing

Bladder and kidneys

• Urinary hesitancy

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Enlarged pupils

Gastrointestinal

• Increased appetite
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Vomiting

Home Treatment

This can be a very serious overdose. Seek immediate medical help.

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

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:

• Fluids
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   
• Breathing help, possibly artificial respiration

Expectations (prognosis)

Amitriptyline hydrochloride can be an extremely serious overdose.

Patients who swallow an excessive amount of this drug are almost always admitted to hospital.

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