Nalfon overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from overdose of Nalfon.

Poisonous Ingredient:

Fenoprofen

Where Found:

Nalfon - a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication

Symptoms:

Body as a whole
- Unsteadiness
Respiratory
- Slow, labored breathing
- Wheezing
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
Skin
- Rash
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Possible loss of blood in the stomach and intestinal areas
Heart and blood vessels
- Increased heart rate
Nervous system
- Severe headache
- Agitation
- Incoherence (not understandable)
- Confusion
- Coma
- Drowsiness
- Convulsions
- Movement disorder

Home Treatment:

Seek medical care immediately. The standard procedure is to induce emesis (vomiting) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control for verification.

If instructed to induce emesis, the standard procedure is as follows:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for adults.
Follow with 1/2 glassful or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults.
Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Other treatments may include lavage and activated charcoal.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Dialysis.
Induce emesis.
Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Administer a laxative.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery depends on the extent of kidney damage.

Review Date: 12/12/2001
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial (12/12/2001). Previous review: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (2/11/2001)

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