Definition 
Phenothiazine overdose is poisoning from medications containing a phenothiazine.

Poisonous Ingredient 

 
• Acetophenazine  
• Chlorpromazine  
• Chlorprothixene  
• Clozapine  
• Fluphenazine  
• Haloperidol  
• Loxapine  
• Mesoridazine  
• Molindone  
• Perphenazine  
• Pimozide  
• Prochlorperazine  
• Promazine  
• Thioridazine  
• Thiothixene  
• Trifluoperazine  
• Triflupromazine

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found 

 
• Acetophenazine  
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)  
• Chlorprothixene (Taractan)  
• Clozapine (Clozaril)  
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin)  
• Haloperidol (Haldol)  
• Loxapine (Loxitane)  
• Mesoridazine (Serentil)  
• Molindone (Moban)  
• Perphenazine (Trilafon)  
• Pimozide (Orap)  
• Prochlorperazine (Compazine)  
• Promazine (Sparine)  
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)  
• Thiothixene (Navane)  
• Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)  
• Triflupromazine  
• Promethazine (Phenergan)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms  

 
• Body as a whole       o Agitation       o Change of menstrual pattern (from chronic doses)       o Clumsiness       o Coma       o Confusion       o Deep sleep       o Difficulty swallowing       o Fever       o Hallucinations (rare)       o Irritability       o Loss of muscle coordination       o Restlessness       o Retention of urine       o Stiff muscles especially of the face or neck  
• Respiratory       o Slowed breathing       o Stop breathing  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat       o Blurred vision       o Dilated pupils       o Dry mouth  
• Skin       o Skin may sunburn rapidly if exposed to the sun  
• Gastrointestinal       o Constipation       o Loss of appetite       o nausea  
• Heart and blood vessels       o Irregular heartbeat       o Rapid heartbeat       o Low Blood pressure  
• Nervous system       o Convulsions       o Tremor

Home Treatment 
DO NOT induce Vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by your health care provider.

Before Calling Emergency 
Determine the following information:

 
• Patient’s age, weight, and condition  
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)  
• When it was swallowed  
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number 
Call Poison Control or your 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:

 
• Treatment of symptoms  
• Monitoring of vital signs (blood pressure, pulse)  
• Emptying the stomach (gastric lavage)  
• Administering of charcoal  
• Giving a laxative  
• Giving an antidote

Expectations (prognosis) 
These overdoses often require treatment in a health care facility. If symptoms worsen, medical care may be required for up to a week.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.