Nembutal overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of Nembutal.

Poisonous Ingredient:

Pentobarbital

Where Found:

Nembutal
Pentosol
Lethobard
Repocal
Sopental

Symptoms:

Body as a whole
- Unsteady gait
- Kidney failure if shock develops
- Slurred speech
Respiratory
- Difficulty breathing
- Breathing may be slowed or stopped
- Pneumonia if shock develops
Skin
- Rash
Heart and blood vessels:
- Weak pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Heart failure
Nervous system
- Headache
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Coma
- Deep sleep
- Decreased energy

Home Treatment:

Call Poison Control. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING).

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:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. 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:

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

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the symptoms observed by the health care provider.

Mild
- The patient can be aroused.
- No further treatment will probably be necessary.
Moderate
- The patient cannot be aroused.
- Breathing is normal.
- Other life signs (pulse, skin color, and so on) are normal.
- Recovery will probably occur within 24 to 48 hours with proper care.
Severe
- The patient cannot be aroused.
- Breathing and other life signs may be abnormal.
- Recovery will probably occur within 3 to 5 days, depending on the amount swallowed.

Review Date: 12/13/2001
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.

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