Drug poisoning is a fairly common situation. Many people have an already formed habit of reaching for medications for any ailment, bypassing a doctor’s appointment. This problem is associated with the impossibility of obtaining medical care in a short time, and with the over-the-counter dispensing of many medications in pharmacies. Typically, the reasons for taking medications without a prescription from a specialist are headaches, gastrointestinal tract disorders, spasms, back and joint pain.
Poisoning occurs due to a number of factors:
- exceeding the recommended dosage;
- uncontrolled use of the prescribed drug. For example, taking a dose for several days at a time;
- taking a combination of incompatible drugs - two drugs, and/or alcohol incompatible with the drug;
- use of expired drugs;
- errors in choosing a medication.
Drug intoxication can lead to dangerous consequences for life and health. Therefore, for any ailments that appear while taking medications, consult a doctor immediately.
Drug poisoning. Uncontrolled use of medications is a common cause of poisoning.
Content:
- general information
- Zoloft overdose: how many tablets cause it
- Zoloft overdose: symptoms
- Zoloft overdose: what to do
- Withdrawal syndrome
Few people know that the popular antidepressant Zoloft in Russia has a noticeable narcotic effect. Long-term or uncontrolled use can lead to an overdose of Zoloft and death.
When does an overdose of phenazepam occur?
Despite the fact that Phenazepam is an excellent remedy for many pathological conditions, doctors often encounter an overdose of this pharmaceutical. The fact is that this medicine is quickly addictive, as a result of which people often independently increase the permissible dosage. The consequences of this can be: suicidal thoughts, impaired memory and coordination of movements, depression and even fainting.
In addition to cases where the pathology is caused by an increase in the daily dose, suicide attempts occur. People who decide to commit suicide take prohibitively large amounts of pharmaceuticals.
Another fairly common phenomenon is drug addiction. Just as a person becomes “addicted” to drugs or alcohol, he or she will be able to become unnoticed when taking a medication. This phenomenon is called “pharmacy drug addiction”; the consequences of an excess of Phenazepam are completely unpredictable.
general information
The active substance, Sertraline, acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The dosage is selected by the doctor individually for each patient based on the results of a medical examination. In this case, the specialist is guided by such considerations as the general state of health, the existing clinical picture and the diagnosis.
The medicine is prescribed if:
- prolonged or severe depressive episodes,
- obsessive-compulsive disorders;
panic attacks;- social phobias;
- post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).
It is sometimes prescribed to prevent depression. Most often it is used to treat adults, but in the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder it is also given to children over 7 years of age.
Those taking prescription Zoloft are not at risk of a fatal overdose. If you violate the doctor's recommendations, unpleasant side effects and the development of addiction are possible. Abrupt withdrawal on your own can also cause harm, so if an addiction has formed, the help of a narcologist is required. If the drug is withdrawn on its own, the patient experiences frequent mood swings and becomes nervous and irritable. There are also physiological reactions such as nausea, headache, sleep disturbances and panic.
Consequences of an overdose of Phenazepam - symptoms
At the first sign of an “overdose” in an adult or child, you should immediately consult a doctor. Symptoms of phenazepam poisoning manifest themselves differently, depending on the severity.
- In a mild form, the symptoms are almost invisible both to the person himself and to those around him. Weakness, slight drowsiness, ringing in the ears appear, and sometimes general health worsens. Doctors determine the consequences of such an overdose based on complaints; there are also objective manifestations: drooping of the upper eyelids, involuntary movements of the eyeballs.
- The consequences of slightly exceeding the permissible dose do not adversely affect health; they usually disappear after a night's sleep.
- In a condition of moderate severity, the symptoms are more clearly expressed. This is a retraction of the tongue with a violation of the swallowing process, muscle weakness, general lethargy, and some lethargy. The pupils narrow and react poorly to light.
- Sometimes there is a superficial coma, loss of consciousness, which is often mistaken for sleep. However, it is not possible to wake the person. The most dangerous thing in this case is the appearance of vomiting; the patient risks choking. Therefore, it is very important to urgently call an ambulance if such signs are present.
- The severe form is accompanied by deep coma, agony, and a complete absence of reflexes. Respiratory activity is depressed, the heartbeat is rapid, blood pressure drops to critically low values, and body temperature also drops sharply.
The consequences of severe overdose require immediate intensive care; without it, death is possible.
Zoloft overdose: how many tablets cause it
Chasing strong, vivid sensations, people often exceed a reasonable dose. Over time, they develop addiction and increase the risk of Zoloft overdose .
That is why this drug is considered a “pharmacy drug”. It is available in tablets of 25, 50 and 100 mg. The maximum allowable intake is 200 mg. The toxic concentration of the substance in the blood is 1–2 mg/l. In case of an overdose of Zoloft, the lethal dose is 5–10 g or 3–12 mg/l of blood (it all depends on the individual characteristics of the person - weight, age, chronic diseases, etc.). But it must be borne in mind that any drug, if used systematically in excessive quantities, will contribute to intoxication.
Many people are concerned about whether it is possible to die from an overdose of Zoloft? It is possible if you take a very large dose, but this rarely happens. Combination with a number of other medications, chemicals and narcotic substances, as well as alcoholic beverages poses a great danger.
Serious consequences can be caused by concomitant use with:
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors;
- pimozide;
- medications that depress the central nervous system and alter serotonergic transmission;
- lithium;
- triptans;
- phenytoin;
- anticoagulants;
- atenolol;
- cimetidine;
- glibenclamide and digoxin;
- agents affecting platelets,
- drugs that are destroyed by cytochrome isoenzymes.
Causes of angina pectoris
Oxygenated blood enters the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. They can become clogged, causing partial obstruction. In this case, the heart does not receive sufficient blood flow, and an attack of angina develops.
Angina pectoris is more common in people over 50 years of age because the coronary arteries lose elasticity. The more they become denser, the higher the likelihood of developing obstruction. Compaction may occur faster due to:
- stress and excessive exercise
- decisions to suddenly go in for sports without appropriate preparation (cardio loads);
- smoking, excessive alcohol consumption;
- eating foods that cause high cholesterol;
- predisposition – genetic, age-related;
- physiological reasons - cholesterol above 3.6-5.2 mmol/l, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes.
Zoloft overdose: symptoms
In first place comes:
- Drowsiness.
- Trembling of hands and feet.
Spasms, convulsive states.- Nausea and vomiting.
- Disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Rapid pulse.
- Emotional excitability.
These symptoms are evidence of Sertraline accumulation in the brain. In addition to this, you can observe:
- increased blood pressure,
- changes in heart tissue;
- fainting, short-term loss of consciousness;
- inflammation of pancreatic tissue.
The effect on nervous tissue and different parts of the brain is accompanied by:
- delusional disorders;
- manias;
- stupor;
- auditory and visual hallucinations.
It will take about 24 hours to remove Sertraline from the body, during which there are complaints of pain in the temples, back of the head, sternum and left side. Convulsions and fainting are possible.
Ketorol poisoning: signs and symptoms
What symptoms are characteristic of Ketorol intoxication? Drug poisoning manifests itself with clear signs that gradually intensify.
Symptoms:
- Nausea, urge to vomit,
- Impaired functionality of the cardiovascular system,
- Sudden jumps in blood pressure,
- Pain in the abdomen,
- Apathetic state, fatigue,
- Malfunction of the kidneys, decreased urine outflow, tissue swelling,
- Head pain, dizziness,
- Visual impairment.
The appearance of such signs of poisoning is a reason to urgently contact a specialized institution for first aid.
Zoloft overdose: what to do
First, immediately call an ambulance or a narcologist to your home. If the drug has been taken recently, to stop its absorption, rinse the stomach and give sorbents to drink. It is better to relieve signs of poisoning with medications aimed at cleansing the blood, accelerating metabolic processes, replenishing missing vitamins and microelements, and relieving the main symptoms of intoxication. There is no specific antidote.
For early detection of possible side effects, periodic monitoring of blood pressure, respiratory rate and heart rate should be carried out.
First aid and specialist assistance
When diagnosing poisoning, it is recommended to call an ambulance. Until the doctors arrive, the victim is given first aid, which includes a number of specific measures aimed at normalizing the patient’s condition.
What to do:
- Perform gastric lavage with plenty of clean water. You can add a little soda to it. The patient who drank the solution is induced to vomit. The procedure is repeated until the stomach is completely cleansed.
- In case of poisoning, various sorbents are used to reduce the absorption of Ketorol into the body.
- The victim is allowed to drink large amounts of liquid, which facilitates the rapid elimination of Ketorol.
- Before the arrival of specialists in case of poisoning, it is recommended to monitor the condition of the poisoned person and provide him with rest.
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Further treatment of poisoning is carried out by medical workers in a hospital setting.
Help from specialists
The hospital is providing additional therapy and monitoring the victim’s condition.
Measures:
- If necessary, in case of poisoning, the stomach is cleaned again using a probe,
- A solution of sodium chloride 0.9% is administered,
- A saline laxative is used to speed up the elimination process of Ketorol,
- Various medications are prescribed to restore the body's functioning - antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants, antiulcers.
- In case of poisoning, the necessary blood, urine, ultrasound examinations are carried out,
- The state of the cardiac system is monitored,
- If necessary, consultations are carried out with various medical professionals.
Withdrawal syndrome
Intoxication is not the only danger; people often experience withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopping this psychotropic drug. Often patients stop taking pills after the first improvement in their health, which leads to devastating consequences.
Some people use Zoloft as a substitute for drugs, and as a result, if they quit, they may experience full-fledged drug withdrawal. Remember that long-term addiction to Sertraline does not leave its mark on your health.
Withdrawal syndrome has the following manifestations:
- headache;
- trembling of limbs;
- nausea;
- abnormal anxiety;
- constipation;
- excessive irritability.
Such symptoms can be observed over a long period - from two weeks to one month.
In popular culture, an overly frivolous attitude towards antidepressants is widespread, while they can easily cause addiction when taken regularly and for a long time. To overcome addiction, you need to seek professional drug treatment help . The treatment regimen is adjusted by the doctor weekly. As a rule, it includes cleansing the body of drug residues, relieving withdrawal symptoms, improving the functioning of affected organs and systems, and psychotherapy. The attending physician's priority is always to reduce the medication course to a therapeutic minimum.
Treatment of drug intoxication
The basis of treatment is drug withdrawal. Neurological symptoms are of great importance in diagnosing the condition. The drug and its breakdown products are eliminated through all excretory organs: intestines, kidneys, saliva, sweat glands. The main routes of elimination are the kidneys and liver. Toxins are eliminated from the kidneys quickly enough and are eliminated in the urine. The situation is more complicated with drugs that are eliminated through the gastrointestinal tract.
From the liver cells, the breakdown products of the drug enter the bile and end up with it in the intestines, where they can be reabsorbed and delivered to the liver. This process is called enterohepatic circulation of substances. In some cases, harmful substances are excreted from the intestines along with feces. Circulation can result in toxins remaining in the body for quite a long time. This creates a high load on the liver, provokes the activity of liver enzymes and unpleasant symptoms.
But the entry of drugs and their breakdown products into the stomach, as well as their further movement through the intestines, does not pass without a trace. Peristalsis is disrupted, mucous membranes are irritated, and an imbalance of bacteria occurs. For example, many antibiotics have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora. Frequent, prolonged use or an inadequate dose can lead to intoxication. You can speed up their removal with the help of sorbents.
It is important to understand that many mild symptoms of intoxication are an attempt by the body to independently remove excess substances. There is no need to interfere with these processes if they proceed in moderation. It is best to provide conditions under which natural cleansing will occur. For example, with moderate vomiting, you should not resort to the use of antiemetic drugs. You should sound the alarm if your temperature rises above 38.5 °C, uncontrollable vomiting that interferes with fluid intake, signs of dehydration and frequent diarrhea.
Treatment of drug poisoning is carried out using several methods:
- gastric and intestinal lavage (according to indications);
- intravenous infusions to accelerate the elimination of toxins, replenish lost fluid due to diarrhea and vomiting. This technique is appropriate for acute forms of intoxication, in a hospital setting;
- prescribing enterosorbents for internal use to bind and remove toxic substances;
- use of enzyme preparations and diuretics according to indications;
- the use of probiotics and prebiotics to restore normal intestinal microflora;
- vitamin therapy and antioxidant treatment to neutralize free radicals.
For chronic intoxications, outpatient treatment is allowed. But it is important to consult a physician to find out the exact cause of poisoning, adjust the dosage of regularly used medications, or choose an alternative.
In the future, you can cope with the elimination of toxic substances with the help of plenty of drinking, a gentle diet, and enterosorbents. One of the effective drugs to combat intoxication is Fitomucil Sorbent Forte. The product contains a plant sorbent, inulin - a prebiotic that promotes the growth of its own beneficial microflora, as well as live bacteria. The drug accelerates the elimination of harmful substances and improves motility of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a gentle effect on the gastrointestinal tract and does not cause bloating or abdominal pain.
Literature:
- Avrutsky, Grigory Yakovlevich / Emergency care in psychiatry / Moscow: Medicine, 1979. - 191 p.
- Kozlovsky, Vladimir Leonidovich./ A short reference book on psychopharmacology, pharmacotherapy and mental pathology - St. Petersburg: SpetsLit, 2015.
- Fomichev, Alexey Vyacheslavovich. / Assessment of impairments of mental and physical performance in acute non-severe poisoning with neurotropic substances and their pharmacological correction with antioxidants: Clinical experimental study: abstract of thesis. ... Candidate of Medical Sciences: 14.00.05, 14.00.20 / Military medical. acad. them. CM. Kirov. - St. Petersburg, 2004. - 20 p.
Diagnostics
An experienced doctor will be able to make a diagnosis after examining a person and interviewing him or his relatives, and it is important to find out how long he took Phenazepam and in what dosage.
However, in order to make a correct diagnosis and decide on treatment tactics, an in-depth examination is necessary. To find out the exact amount of the drug in the blood, spectrophotometry is used. Heart rhythm disturbances and other organ pathologies are shown by an ECG. important to know the degree of acid-base imbalance in the blood; it is detected during a hematological study.
