Methapyrilene hydrochloride overdose

Definition:

Methapyrilene hydrochloride is an uncommon antihistamine found in cold or flu medicines. It is generally considered non-toxic in small doses, but higher doses or ingestion by a child can be extremely toxic.

Poisonous Ingredient:

methapyrilene hydrochloride

Where Found:

antihistamine medications (older)

Symptoms:

body as a whole
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- dilated pupils
- vision abnormalities (blurry vision)
- dry mouth
skin
- flushed skin (red)
- dry skin
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heartbeat
- low blood pressure
nervous system
- excitation
- agitation
- drowsiness
- nervousness
- hallucinations
- disorientation
- delirium
- coma

Home Treatment:

Do not induce vomiting. Seek emergency medical care immediately.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person 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:

for swallowed poison
- Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach.
- Activated charcoal administration.
- Take a blood sample taken to determine salicylate level in blood
- Give IV fluids.
- Admission to the hospital.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the patient survives the first 24 hours, survival is likely. Few patients actually die from an antihistamine overdose.

Review Date: 3/13/2002
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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