MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chlordiazepoxide overdose

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Chlordiazepoxide overdose

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

Alternative Names

Librium overdose

Definition Return to top

Chlordiazepoxide is a prescription medication used to treat certain anxiety disorders and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Chlordiazepoxide overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Chlordiazepoxide

Where Found Return to top

A-Poxide
Equibral
Librax
Librium
Limbitrol
Mitran

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Airways and lungs
- Labored breathing
Bladder and kidneys
- Difficulty urinating
Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Rapid side-to-side movement of the eyes
Heart and blood
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Coma
- Confusion
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Low body temperature
- Memory loss
- Seizures
- Stupor
- Tremor
- Uncoordinated movement
- Weakness
Skin
- Bluish colored lips and fingernails
- Rash
- Yellow skin
Stomach and intestines
- Upset stomach

Home Care Return to top

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

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
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. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Laxative
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

With proper care, full recovery can be expected. Exceptions may include patients with aplastic anemia.

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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