Symptoms of overdose
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Symptoms of Overdose: A Comprehensive Overview
Second-Generation Antipsychotics Overdose Symptoms
Overdoses involving second-generation antipsychotics in children and adolescents present a range of symptoms. Common clinical presentations include drowsiness, lethargy, agitation, irritability, combativeness, and tachycardia. The duration of these symptoms can vary significantly, lasting from 24 hours to 13 days in some cases1. Fatalities, although rare, have been reported with specific drugs such as clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine1.
Ibuprofen Overdose Symptoms
Ibuprofen overdose symptoms differ between children and adults. In children, symptoms include central nervous system depression, seizures, gastrointestinal disturbances, bradycardia, hypotension, apnea, abnormal renal functions, hematuria, nystagmus, and blurred vision. Adults exhibit similar symptoms, with a higher incidence of central nervous system depression and seizures2. Notably, no symptoms develop more than four hours post-ingestion2.
Fluoxetine Overdose Symptoms
Fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed SSRI, shows relatively mild symptoms in overdose cases. These include tachycardia, drowsiness, tremor, vomiting, and nausea. Most symptoms are minor and short-lived, with aggressive supportive care being the primary intervention required3. Severe symptoms such as seizures and ECG changes are rare and typically associated with very high doses or coingestion with other substances4.
Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Administration
Naloxone, used to counteract opioid overdoses, can induce withdrawal symptoms and anger in resuscitated individuals. Withdrawal symptoms include agitation, irritability, and physical discomfort, while anger is often triggered by negative communication from the rescuer. Positive communication can significantly reduce the likelihood of anger post-resuscitation5.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) Overdose Symptoms
MAOI overdoses, such as with phenelzine, can lead to severe and delayed symptoms. Initial signs include excessive neuromuscular activity, followed by hyperthermia, coma, cardiovascular collapse, acute renal failure, hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. These symptoms highlight the critical need for immediate and intensive medical intervention6.
Psychological Effects of Drug Overdose
Drug overdoses often result in significant psychological disturbances, including gross behavioral changes, altered thinking, and perception. These effects are due to the toxic impact of drugs on the cerebral cortex and can be life-threatening, necessitating prompt medical treatment7.
Mental Health Impact of Overdose Loss
Survivors of overdose loss experience substantial mental health burdens, including prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). These individuals are at a higher risk for these conditions compared to those who have experienced other forms of sudden loss8.
Mycophenolate Overdose Symptoms
Overdoses of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) generally result in mild symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. Severe symptoms like hypotension and leukopenia are rare and typically associated with significantly high doses9.
Overdose Profiles of New Antipsychotic Agents
Newer antipsychotic agents like olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, and sulpiride show varied overdose symptoms. Clozapine is associated with agitation, dystonia, CNS depression, and tachycardia, while olanzapine and risperidone generally result in milder symptoms, indicating a safer profile in overdose scenarios10.
Conclusion
Understanding the symptoms of drug overdose is crucial for timely and effective medical intervention. While the severity and type of symptoms can vary widely depending on the drug and dosage, recognizing these signs can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce fatalities.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Overdoses and ingestions of second-generation antipsychotics in children and adolescents.
Second-generation antipsychotic overdoses in children and adolescents are relatively safe when taken alone, with 11 fatalities and symptoms resolved within 24 hours to 7 days.
Systematic ReviewIbuprofen overdose: 126 cases.
Ibuprofen overdose occasionally causes serious toxicity, including central nervous system depression, seizures, gastrointestinal disturbances, and abnormal renal functions.
Observational Study
Highly CitedAcute fluoxetine overdose: a report of 234 cases.
Acute fluoxetine overdose symptoms are minor and short-lived, and supportive care is the only necessary intervention.
Highly CitedSSRI safety in overdose.
SSRI antidepressants are far safer than TCAs in overdose, with no apparent difference among them in overdose safety.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedFactors associated with withdrawal symptoms and anger among people resuscitated from an opioid overdose by take-home naloxone: Exploratory mixed methods analysis.
Positive communication during resuscitation can reduce anger in people resuscitated from opioid overdoses, potentially improving overdose prevention and response.
RCTMonoamine oxidase inhibitor overdose.
MAO inhibitor overdose can cause severe hyperthermia, coma, cardiovascular collapse, acute renal failure, hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, with delayed onset of symptoms.
Case ReportExploring the Mental Health Correlates of Overdose Loss.
Overdose loss survivors are three times more likely to experience prolonged grief, PTSD, and major depressive disorder compared to sudden-natural loss survivors.
Observational StudyAcute mycophenolate overdose: case series and systematic literature analysis
Acute MMF and EC-MPS overdoses had a favorable outcome in all cases reported to the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre and in the literature between 1995 and 2013.
Systematic Review