Stimulants What drugs are normally administered for amphetamine overdoses?

[Stimlover22]

What is usually given in the e.r. to reverse an overdose from a stimulant? Could a potent antipsychotic work for that purpose? Like a 300mg seroquel tablet?

 

[sekio]

"Amphetamine
Side Effects - Anxiety, raised heart rate, arrythmyias, sweating, seizures, nausea/vomiting, headaches, hyperthermia, dil. pupils, psychosis, suicidal.
RX -ABCs, O2, ECG, IV fluids for hypotension. Activated charcoal 50-100gm orally. Maintain normal body temp. Benzodiazepines as adjunct"

An antipsychotic might help. 150-300mg seroquel would definitely be effective at making you more sedate.

Basically, treat your overdose symptomatically. If you have anxiety, try an anxiolytic. If you have raised heart rate try resting or a sedative. And do try to keep cool.

 

[tricomb]

Usually IV lorazepam at the hospital.

 

[Tryptamino]

Usually IV lorazepam at the hospital.

that's what they gave me for cocaine overdose.

 

[tricomb]

Sheeeeesh, no fun... =\

 

[Tryptamino]

I actually ended up doing another shot after leaving the ER. I was so stupid then.

 

[bronson]

I just think it's important to note that if you are in the midst of an amph overdose safety wise you'd be much better off to actually go to the ER than try and self medicate. While what you try might work, it also might not. At least at an emergency room you can be monitored and be more assured of your well being and recovery.

 

[Coraline]

^ agreed. You should never be scared of going to the ER for treatment. You might get some looks or what ever but you will get treated. When you get ready to leave because you survived, take name and complain to the hospital, the medical board or board of nursing if they were cruel or spiteful to you.

But the most important thing is you live. If you ever feel like your in trouble/ over dosed go get checked out. Never post on a forum when you think your in a medical crisis vs getting the treatment you need.

 

[pzoxic]

I hear benzos are used for stim ODs.

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

Benzos, activated charcoal as well. Not fun.

What sekio said is dead-on. Seroquel certainly will stop stimulants dead in their tracks. Promethazine seems to work for this as well (not as well) and of course chlorpromazine (Thorazine/Largactil) will work. Anti-psychotics, for the most part, are more of a chemical sledgehammer to knock you down during a stimulant overdose. Benzodiazepines will knock down anxiety but will only reverse a stimulant's effects in high enough dosages.

 

[THC2LSD]

If acute, severe hypertension complicates amphetamine overdosage, administration of intravenous phentolamine has been suggested. However, a gradual drop in blood pressure will usually result when sufficient sedation has been achieved. Chlorpromazine antagonizes the central stimulant effects of amphetamines and can be used to treat amphetamine intoxication.

Usually they treat the specific symptoms rather than have a pure antidote. I do believe that when someone had a massive overdose of meth to where their arms were turning purple and they were totally bonkers they were given injected chlorpromazine.

 

[kokaino]

Acute overdose of amphetamines produces seizures, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, psychosis, hallucinosis, stroke, and fatality. So they would treat the symptoms while letting the amphetamine take its course. Hypotensive drugs, benzodiazepines (treat seizures and sedates patient), antipsychotics and they keep the patient hydrated.