MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Pheniramine overdose

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Pheniramine overdose

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Dehistine D overdose; Liqui-Histine overdose; Poly-D overdose; Poly-Histine overdose; Liqui-minic infant overdose; Triactin overdose; Triaminic infant overdose

Definition Return to top

Pheniramine is a type of medication called an antihistamine, which helps relieve allergy symptoms. Pheniramine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Pheniramine

Where Found Return to top

Citra Forte
Dehistine D
Liqui-Histine
Poly-D
Poly-Histine
Ru-Tuss with Hydrocodone

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Dry mouth
- Enlarged pupils
Heart and blood
- Rapid heartbeat
Nervous system
- Convulsions
- Delirium
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Excitation
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Nervousness
- Unsteadiness
- Tremor
Skin
- Flushed skin
Stomach and intestinal tract
- Nausea
- Vomiting

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control Return to top

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Breathing support
Fluids by IV
Laxative
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
Tube thru the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

If the patient survives the first 24 hours, recovery is good. Few patients die from an antihistamine overdose.

Update Date: 10/29/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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