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Health Information Encyclopedia - Poison


Imipramine overdose

Definition:

This is poisoning from taking too much of the drug imipramine, an antidepressant.



Alternative Names: Tofranil; Janimine

Poisonous Ingredient:

Imipramine



Where Found:
  • Antideprin
  • Berkomine
  • Janimine
  • Norpramin
  • Tipramine
  • Tofranil
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

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 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
  • Blood tests to monitor imipramine levels
  • 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):

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




Review Date: 3/17/2006
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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