Thioridazine overdose

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Home Treatment
• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

This is poisoning from an overdose of thioridazine.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• thioridazine

Where Found    Return to top

• Mellaril

Symptoms    Return to top

• body as a whole
  • dry mouth
  • hypothermia (body temperature is lower than normal)
  • incoordination
  • fever
  • tremor
  • muscle stiffness
  • stiff neck and/or face
  • inability to completely empty the bladder
  • weakness
  • difficulty swallowing
  • salivation
  • convulsions
  • alteration of menstrual patterns
  • muscle spasms
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • nasal congestion
  • blurred vision
  • mouth ulcers (gums, tongue, or throat)
  • yellow eyes
  • vision color changes ( brown tinge)
• skin
  • skin discoloration, bluish (changing to a purplish color)--from an allergic reaction
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea
  • constipation
  • loss of appetite
• heart and blood vessels
  • low blood pressure (severe) or high blood pressure
  • rapid heartbeat
• nervous system
  • drowsiness
  • coma
  • disorientation
  • seizures
  • dizziness

Home Treatment    Return to top

Contact Poison Control for appropriate treatment.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

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    Return to top

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    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce vomiting.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Fluid replacement.
• Antidote may be given.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Recovery depends on the nature of the damage done by the overdose. Survival past 2 days is usually a good sign.