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Chlorpromazine overdose
     
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Chlorpromazine overdose

 

Chlorpromazine is a prescription medicine used to treat psychotic disorders. It may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and for other reasons.

This medicine may also change the metabolism and the effect of other medicines.

Chlorpromazine 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 the local emergency number (such as 911), or the 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.

Chlorpromazine can be poisonous in large amounts.

Where Found

 

Chlorpromazine is found in chlorpromazine hydrochloride.

Other medicines may also contain chlorpromazine.

 

Symptoms

 

Below are symptoms of a chlorpromazine overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

  • No breathing
  • Rapid breathing
  • Shallow breathing

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

  • Inability to urinate
  • Weak urine stream

EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROAT

  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Drooling
  • Dry mouth
  • Sores on the gums, tongue, or in the throat
  • Stuffy nose
  • Yellow eyes

HEART AND BLOOD

  • High or very low blood pressure
  • Pounding heartbeat
  • Rapid, irregular heartbeat

MUSCLES, BONES AND JOINTS

  • Muscle spasms
  • Rapid, involuntary movements of the face (chewing, blinking, grimaces, and tongue movements)
  • Stiff muscles in the neck or back

NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Agitation, irritability, confusion
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Disorientation, coma (lack of responsiveness)
  • Drowsiness
  • Fever
  • Low body temperature
  • Restlessness linked with repeated foot shuffling, rocking, or pacing (akathisia)
  • Tremor, motor tics that the person cannot control (dystonia) 
  • Uncoordinated movement, slow movement, or shuffling (with long-term use or overuse) 
  • Weakness

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

  • Change in female menstrual pattern

SKIN

  • Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
  • Hot skin
  • Rash

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea

 

Home Care

 

Seek medical help right away. Do not make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to do so.

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • The person's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the medicine and strength, if known
  • When it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed
  • If the medicine was prescribed for the person

 

Poison Control

 

The 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.

This 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.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

If you go to the emergency room, take the medicine container with you, if possible.

Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan (advanced brain imaging)
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG), or heart tracing

Treatment may include:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Fluids through a vein (IV)
  • Laxative
  • Medicine to reverse the effects of the drug and treat symptoms

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Chlorpromazine is fairly safe. Most likely, an overdose will only cause drowsiness and some side effects such as uncontrolled movements of the lips, eyes, head, and neck for a short time. These movements may continue if they are not treated quickly and correctly.

In rare cases, an overdose can cause more serious symptoms. Nervous system symptoms may be permanent. The most serious side effects are usually due to damage to the heart. If heart damage can be stabilized, recovery is likely. Life threatening heart rhythm disturbances may be difficult to treat, and may result in death. Survival past 2 days is usually a good sign.

 

 

Open References

References

Aronson JK. Chlorpromazine. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:274-275.

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.

Monas J, Skolnik AB. Antipsychotics. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 150.

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            Review Date: 7/1/2025

            Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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