Trazodone hydrochloride overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from taking too much of the drug trazodone.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

Trazodone

Where Found

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication commonly sold under the brand name Desyrel.

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  • Fainting
  • Chest pain
  • Convulsions
  • Priapism (involuntary sustained erection)
• Respiratory
  • Difficulty breathing (breathing may stop completely)
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Slow heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
• Nervous system
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Insomnia 
  • Coma

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical care. Standard procedure is to make the person throw up. DO NOT make the person throw up if he or she is unconscious or having convulsions. Confirm this procedure with Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, 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 emergency room.

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)   
• Artificial respiration

Expectations (prognosis)

Death can result from an overdose but is rare. Heart and respiratory problems are also rare.