Chlorpromazine overdose: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Chlorpromazine, one of the oldest antipsychotic medications, remains widely available and is still taken in overdose. We aimed to investigate the clinical effects of chlorpromazine overdose and determine if there is a relationship between the reported dose ingested and intensive care unit admission or endotracheal intubation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our toxicology tertiary referral hospital with chlorpromazine overdose (reported dose ingested greater than 300 mg) between 1987 and 2023. We extracted demographic information, details of ingestion, clinical effects and complications (Glasgow Coma Scale, hypotension [systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg], delirium, dysrhythmias), length of stay, intensive care unit admission, and endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: There were 218 chlorpromazine overdose cases, with presentations decreasing in frequency over the 36 years. The median age at presentation was 32 years (interquartile range: 25-40 years) and 143 (61 per cent) were female. The median reported dose ingested was 1,250 mg (interquartile range; 700-2,500 mg). The majority of presentations (135; 62 per cent) involved reported co-ingestion of other medications, typically benzodiazepines, paracetamol or antipsychotics. There were 76 (35 per cent) chlorpromazine alone ingestions in which there was a slightly higher median reported dose ingested of 1,650 mg (interquartile range: 763-3,000 mg) compared to the reported co-ingestion group, median reported dose ingested of 1,200 mg (interquartile range: 700-2,100 mg). Of all presentations, 36 (27 per cent) had a Glasgow Coma Scale less than 9, 50 (23 per cent) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 32 (15 per cent) were endotracheally intubated. There was a significant difference in the median reported dose ingested between patients intubated (2,000 mg; interquartile range: 1,388-3,375 mg) and those not intubated (1,200 mg; interquartile range: 644-2,050mg; P < 0.001), and between those admitted to the intensive care unit and not admitted to the intensive care unit (P < 0.0001). The median reported dose ingested in seven chlorpromazine alone presentations who were intubated was 2,500 mg (interquartile range: 2,000-8,000 mg, range: 1,800-20,000 mg). Eighteen (8 per cent) patients developed delirium, eight (4 per cent) had hypotension, three had seizures, and there was one death. DISCUSSION: Almost one quarter of cases were admitted to the intensive care unit and over half of these were intubated. Whist the decision to admit to an intensive care unit or intubate a patient is based on clinical need, there was a significant association between reported dose ingested and requirement for endotracheal intubation. Both the frequency of presentation and reported dose ingested declined after 2013. The major limitations of the study were a retrospective design and no analytical confirmation of ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the most common effect of chlorpromazine overdose was central nervous system depression and that endotracheal intubation was associated with larger reported doses ingested, particularly in single chlorpromazine ingestions.

Childhood Drug and Non-Drug Poisoning in Nigeria: An Economic Appraisal.

BACKGROUND: The dearth of information on the economic cost of childhood poisoning in sub-Saharan Africa necessitated this study. OBJECTIVE: This study has investigated the prevalence of childhood drug and non-drug poisoning, treatment modalities and economic costs in Nigeria. METHOD: A retrospective study of childhood drug and non-drug poisoning cases from January 2007 to June 2014 in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria was carried out. Medical records were analysed for demographic and aetiological characteristics of poisoned children (0-14 years of age), as well as fiscal impact of poisoning cases. FINDINGS: Of the 100 poisoned patients, 46% were male and 54% female, with female/male ratio of 1.17:1. Most of the children were under five years of age. Paracetamol, amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, ferrous sulphate, kerosene, organophosphates, carbon monoxide, snake bite, alcohol and rodenticides were involved in the poisoning. The average cost of poison management per patient was about $168, which is high given the economic status of Nigeria. CONCLUSION: Childhood poisoning is still a significant cause of morbidity among children in Nigeria and accounts for an appreciable amount of health spending, therefore preventive strategies should be considered.

An autopsy case of drowning under the influence of multiple psychotropic drugs.

A fatal case of drowning under the influence of multiple psychotropic drugs, such as quetiapine, escitalopram, aripiprazole and flunitrazepam, is presented. Quantitative toxicological analysis of a femoral blood sample revealed concentrations of quetiapine, escitalopram, aripiprazole and 7-aminoflunitrazepam (a metabolite of flunitrazepam) of 1.266 µg/ml, 0.609 µg/ml, 0.124 µg/ml and 0.055 µg/ml, respectively. From the autopsy findings, results of toxicological examination and investigation by the authorities, we concluded that the cause of death was drowning under the influence of mainly quetiapine and escitalopram.

Antipsychotic-related fatal poisoning, England and Wales, 1993-2013: impact of the withdrawal of thioridazine.

CONTEXT: Use of second generation antipsychotics in England and Wales has increased in recent years whilst prescription of first generation antipsychotics has decreased. METHODS: To evaluate the impact of this change and of the withdrawal of thioridazine in 2000 on antipsychotic-related fatal poisoning, we reviewed all such deaths in England and Wales 1993-2013 recorded on the Office for National Statistics drug poisoning deaths database. We also reviewed antipsychotic prescribing in the community, England and Wales, 2001-2013. Use of routine mortality data: When an antipsychotic was recorded with other drug(s), the death certificate does not normally say if the antipsychotic caused the death rather than the other substance(s). A second consideration concerns intent. A record of "undetermined intent" is likely to have been intentional self-poisoning, the evidence being insufficient to be certain that the individual intended to kill. A record of drug abuse/dependence, on the other hand, is likely to have been associated with an unintentional death. Accuracy of the diagnosis of poisoning: When investigating a death in someone prescribed antipsychotics, toxicological analysis of biological samples collected post-mortem is usually performed. However, prolonged attempts at resuscitation, or diffusion from tissues into blood as autolysis proceeds, may serve to alter the composition of blood sampled after death from that circulating at death. With chlorpromazine and with olanzapine a further factor is that these compounds are notoriously unstable in post-mortem blood. Deaths from antipsychotics: There were 1544 antipsychotic-related poisoning deaths. Deaths in males (N = 948) were almost twice those in females. For most antipsychotics, the proportion of deaths in which a specific antipsychotic featured either alone, or only with alcohol was 30-40%, but for clozapine (193 deaths) such mentions totalled 66%. For clozapine, the proportion of deaths attributed to either intentional self-harm, or undetermined intent was 44%, but for all other drugs except haloperidol (20 deaths) the proportion was 56% or more. The annual number of antipsychotic-related deaths increased from some 55 per year (1.0 per million population) between 1993 and 1998 to 74 (1.5 per million population) in 2000, and then after falling slightly in 2002 increased steadily to reach 109 (1.9 per million population) in 2013. Intent: The annual number of intentional and unascertained intent poisoning deaths remained relatively constant throughout the study period (1993: 35 deaths, 2013: 38 deaths) hence the increase in antipsychotic-related deaths since 2002 was almost entirely in unintentional poisoning involving second generation antipsychotics. Clozapine, olanzapine, and quetiapine were the second generation antipsychotics mentioned most frequently in unintentional poisonings (99, 136, and 99 deaths, respectively). Mentions of diamorphine/morphine and methadone (67 and 99 deaths, respectively) together with an antipsychotic were mainly (84 and 90%, respectively) in either unintentional or drug abuse-related deaths. Deaths and community prescriptions: Deaths involving antipsychotics (10 or more deaths) were in the range 11.3-17.1 deaths per million community prescriptions in England and Wales, 2001-2013. Almost all (96%) such deaths now involve second generation antipsychotics. This is keeping with the increase in annual numbers of prescriptions of these drugs overall (<1 million in 2000, 7 million in 2013), largely driven by increases in prescriptions for olanzapine and quetiapine. In contrast, deaths involving thioridazine declined markedly (from 40 in 2000 to 10 in 2003-2013) in line with the fall in prescriptions for thioridazine from 2001. CONCLUSIONS: The removal of thioridazine has had no apparent effect on the incidence of antipsychotic-related fatal poisoning in England and Wales. That such deaths have increased steadily since 2001 is in large part attributable to an increase in unintentional deaths related to (i) clozapine, and (ii) co-exposure to opioids, principally diamorphine and methadone.

Effect of lipid emulsion during resuscitation of a patient with cardiac arrest after overdose of chlorpromazine and mirtazapine.

No specific treatment exists for poisoning with most fat-soluble drugs. Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) may be effective therapy against such drugs, but effects of ILE treatment are unclear. A 24-year-old woman with depression seen sleeping in the morning was found comatose in the evening, and an emerging lifesaving technologies service was called. After emerging lifesaving technologies departure to hospital, she stopped breathing, became pulseless, and cardiopulmonary life support was started immediately. Electrocardiographic monitoring showed asystole during resuscitation even after arrival at hospital. Empty packaging sheets of 60-tablet chlorpromazine (CPZ) (50 mg/tablet) and 66-tablet mirtazapine (MZP) (15 mg/tablet) found at the scene suggested drug-related cardiopulmonary arrest. Along with conventional administration of adrenaline (total dose, 5 mg), 20% Intralipid 100 mLwas given intravenously 8 minutes after hospital arrival and readministered 27 minutes after hospital arrival because of continued asystole. Return of spontaneous circulation occurred 29 minutes after arrival (70 minutes after cardiac arrest). The patient recovered without any major complications and was transferred to another hospital for psychiatric treatment 70 days after admission. Concentrations of CPZ and MZP were still high when return of spontaneous circulation was achieved with ILE. This case suggested the possible benefit of ILE in treating life threatening cardiotoxicity from CPZ and MZP overdose.

[BIS values were useful on the evaluation of consciousness recovery in acute Vegetamin-A poisoning: report of a case].

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with acute phenobarbital poisoning. On arrival, he was in deep coma with respiro-circulatory depressions. The serum concentration of the agent was elevated to 149.04 µg/mL which was consistent with a lethal concentration level. He underwent a gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, urinary alkalinazation and bowel irrigation. Respiro-circulatory status was recovered rapidly, while the serum concentration of phenobarbital did not decrease smoothly. Although the concentration of the agent decreased to 77.07 µg/mL that should be a comatose level, BIS values were gradually elevated, and then eventually the patient regained his consciousness. Because he was a chronic user of Vegetamin-A containing phenobarbital, the serum level might not have been correlated with symptoms. BIS values were highly reflective of the consciousness level, so it could be a useful indicator for predicting the consciousness levels of patients in deep coma with acute poisoning from hypnotic agents.

Is acute dystonia an emergency? Sometimes, it really is!

Most cases of acute dystonia are mild and easy to manage; nevertheless, some of them can be fatal because of the involvement of certain muscle groups such as the laryngeal muscles, thus requiring urgent intervention. In the literature, approach to life-threatening acute dystonia has not been investigated thoroughly, although the diagnosis is a challenge, and treatment should be offered immediately. Herein the management of life-threatening acute dystonia is discussed via 2 case reports.

Simultaneous determination of 5 psychotropic drugs of various types in an autopsy case of acute multiple drug poisoning.

We attempted the simultaneous determination of 5 drugs, mirtazapine, sertraline, chlorpromazine, amoxapine and zolpidem, detected in a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry screening test in an autopsy case. The solid-phase extraction of the analytes from biological samples was achieved using Oasis(®)HLB cartridges (Waters, Milford, MA, USA). Gas chromatography was performed on a HP-5MS fused silica capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 µm film thickness, Agilent Technologies). The mass spectrometer was operated with an electron energy of 70 eV in electron impact mode. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed in full-scan mode and the selected ion monitoring mode, respectively. The total ion chromatogram showed good separation of these drugs. Linear graphs were obtained with good correlation coefficients for these drugs from 0.001 to 2.0 µg/mL (r(2)=0.9909-0.9986) using imipramine-d6 as an internal standard. The recoveries of these drugs were found to be 62.8-88.0% in spiked whole blood. Mirtazapine, sertraline, chlorpromazine, amoxapine and zolpidem were found in post-mortem samples of the deceased at concentrations of 2.67, 0.07, 0.25, 0.32 and 0.68 µg/mL, respectively. The concentration of mirtazapine was within the lethal level and those of amoxapine and zolpidem were within the toxic level. We diagnosed that the cause of death was acute multiple drug poisoning. The simple and practical procedure used in this study is useful for the simultaneous determination of psychotropic drugs of various types in post-mortem biological samples.

[Aggressive endoscopic removal of bezoars effective for the treatment of acute poisoning].

A 37-year-old female presented with acute chlorpromazine and phenobarbital poisoning. Contrast enhanced abdominal CT on admission revealed a high density area at the gastric fundus and residual drugs were suspected. Activated charcoal and cathartics were administered following the gastric lavage under the intubation. As the plasma concentration of phenobarbital was high, urinary alkalinization and crystalloid infusion were carried out to reduce it. However, at 3 days after admission, the plasma concentration level had increased and the consciousness disturbance and respiratory depression continued. Abdominal CT was performed again and bezoars formation was suspected. Endoscopy was carried out to remove the bezoars. After the removal, the plasma concentration level significantly decreased. Her consciousness disturbance and respiratory depression also improved and high density area at the gastric fundus disappeared. Acute endoscopy is seldom advocated in cases of drug overdose. However, aggressive endoscopic removal should be considered in the case of acute poisoning of drugs with form bezoars.

An autopsy case of multiple psychotropic drug poisoning.

A fatal poisoning case involving etizolam, phenobarbital, promethazine and chlorpromazine is presented. Quantitative toxicological analysis showed that the concentrations of etizolam, phenobarbital, promethazine and chlorpromazine in the femoral blood were 86 ng/ml, 5082 microg/ml, 0.107 microg/ml and 0.144 microg/ml, respectively, and large amounts of drugs were also detected in the stomach contents. We conclude that the cause of death was due to the interaction of multiple psychotropic drugs.

Expression of C-fos, Fos-B, Fosl-1, Fosl-2, Dusp-1 and C-jun in the mouse heart after single and repeated chlorpromazine administrations.

Many cases of sudden chlorpromazine (Chl)-related deaths have been identified in forensic autopsies. Because Chl concentration detected in such cases is often low, identifying the cause of death can be difficult. Patients on Chl therapy exhibit arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy. Thus, Chl may affect the heart, particularly, gene expression there. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are expressed following stimulation. Using real-time quantitative-PCR, we investigated the mRNA expression of IEGs, including C-fos, Fos-B, Fosl-1, Fosl-2, Dusp-1 and C-jun, in the mouse heart after once-daily high-dose (7.5 mg/kg) or low-dose (0.75 mg/kg) of Chl single and repeated (1-4 weeks) injections. We showed that single high-dose Chl administration induced IEGs except C-jun. This induction was not observed after the repeated administration, and thus; suggested that the transcriptome is altered after repeated administration and tolerance is developed to Chl. Moreover, C-jun expression decreases after repeated administration. These results reflect that C-jun is down-regulated to avoid cardiomyopathy caused by the over stimulation of C-jun. In future, we intend to clarify the Chl-induced IEG cascade via IEGs in the mouse heart. Chl treatment can result in cardiovascular diseases. Investigation of the transcriptome in the heart after repeated Chl administration will aid in elucidating the patho-physiology of Chl-related cardiovascular diseases.

An autopsy case of rhabdomyolysis related to vegetamin and genetic analysis of the rhabdomyolysis-associated genes.

We report an autopsy case of a man who died 2 days after taking an overdose of vegetamin. The autopsy findings were as follows: the epidermis on the axillary fossa and the inguinal skin had become macerated. Skeletal muscle was discolored. Concentrations of urea nitrogen, creatinine and urine myoglobin were 1.95 g/day, 0.66 g/day and 1100 ng/mL, respectively. Immunohistochemically, myoglobin was strongly stained at the Bowman's capsule, and tubular lumen and epithelium. 8-OH-dG was strongly stained in renal tubular epithelium in which cell nuclei were strongly stained. ORP-150 was observed in intraglomerular cells and renal tubular epithelium. The concentrations of phenobarbital, promethazine and chlorpromazine ranged from therapeutic to toxic levels, from toxic to lethal levels and toxic level, respectively. His cause of death was considered to be vegetamin-induced rhabdomyolysis. In genetic analysis of this subject, there were two heterozygous silent mutations in the three hot-spot regions in the RYR1 gene. In the CPT II gene, the subject was found to be heterozygous for an amino acid substitution in exon 4, (1203)G>A causing a (368)Val>Ile amino acid substitution. There was no mutation in the VLCAD gene or CYP2C19 gene. The subject was heterozygous for CYP2D6*1 and CYP2D6*2.

A fatal case of potential chronic overdoses of prescribed and proprietary remedies.

A 33-year-old man was found in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. He was transported to an emergency hospital but was pronounced dead. He had suffered from depression for about 8 years and had attempted suicide repeatedly. A search by the police found 645 empty Press Through Package (PTP) sheets. They had included neuroleptics, antidepressants, hypnotics, proprietary antitussives containing caffeine, proprietary cold remedies containing caffeine, and other unidentified drugs. An autopsy showed higher rectal temperature (38 degrees C), severe pulmonary edema (left: 681 g, right: 821 g), and a large amount of urine in the bladder (about 760 mL). Toxicological analyses using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrated that doses of clomipramine hydrochloride (a tricyclic antidepressant), chlorpromazine (a phenothiazine), and caffeine (a methylxanthine derivative) were within the toxic range (0.68, 0.64, and 34.24 [microg/mL], respectively). Histological examination showed centrilobular necrosis of the liver with small fat droplets. We concluded that he had died of pulmonary edema due to combined drug intoxication including proprietary antitussives and cold remedies. Furthermore, there was a strong possibility that he had habitually taken overdoses of those drugs. Herein, the risk of misuse of prescribed and proprietary drugs, especially for people with psychological problems, should be reemphasized.

Genetic analysis of ryanodine receptor 1 gene and carnitine palmitoyltransferase II gene: an autopsy case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome related to vegetamin.

We report an autopsy case of a man in his forties who died 2 days after taking an overdose of vegetamin. The autopsy findings were as follows: externally, the upper epidermis of some parts of the body had become loosened. The epidermis was easily detached from the dermis using the fingers. Viscous fluid adhered around the nose and mouth. The brain was edematous and weighed 1520 g. Skeletal muscle was discolored. The urine was a slightly red-tinged yellow. The organs showed congestion. Urine tests: urea nitrogen: 1.95 g/day; creatinine: 0.66 g/day; urine myoglobin: 1100 ng/mL. Blood level of drugs: phenobarbital: 38.2 microg/ml; promethazine: 2.22 microg/ml; chlorpromazine: 0.96 microg/ml. Immunohistochemistry identified myoglobin in the kidney. From these findings, his cause of death was considered to be vegetamin-induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Mutation of the ryanodine receptor 1 gene is associated with malignant hyperthermia. However, there was no mutation which causes amino acid substitution in the three hot-spot regions of the ryanodine receptor 1 gene. Partial deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II is the commonest cause of recurrent rhabdomyolysis in adults. The subject was found to be heterozygous for an amino acid exchange in exon 4, (1203)G-->A causing a (368)Val-->Ile amino acid substitution. It is necessary to examine other candidate gene mutations.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome developing after acute overdose with olanzapine and chlorpromazine.

UNLABELLED: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a relatively uncommon side effect that may develop after a recent increase in the therapeutic dose of an antipsychotic medication or the addition of a new agent in therapeutic doses. CASE REPORT: We report a case of NMS developing in a 36-year-old female patient 2 days following deliberate self-poisoning with 30 x 10-mg olanzapine tablets, 7 x 100-mg chlorpromazine tablets and an unknown amount of escitalopram. These were the patient's own medications. She had not been taking these for several weeks. The patient initially presented with sedation from her overdose which resolved over the next 24 hours. Following this, over the subsequent 24 hours, she became progressively confused, ataxic, hypertonic, ferbrile and tachycardic, with marked lead pipe rigidity of the limbs. Head CT, lumbar puncture and septic screen were all negative. She was treated with intravenous midazolam infusion, nasogastrically administered bromocriptine, external cooling and was mechanically ventilated. She gradually improved over a period of 10 days, with residual confusion lasting another week, and was discharged well with no deterioration from her premorbid neurologic state. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, although there are numerous cases reported with therapeutic use, NMS has not been reported to develop following acute olanzapine overdose. Clinicians should be aware that this may be an uncommon side effect of antipsychotic medication.