Depressants

• Overdosage of the sedatives, hypnotics, and anti-convulsants:

  Leads to coma and respiratory failure
• Hypnotics and Sedatives - Causes progressive depression of CNS
• After toxic doses Respiratory exchanged is diminished that results to tissue anoxia
• PRINCIPAL SYMPTOMS

  COMA

  CHRONIC POISONING
• ACUTE POISONING of Antidepressants

  1. Early symptoms

  ● Sleeplessness

  ● Mental Confusion

  ● Unsteadiness

  2. Followed by

  ● Coma with slow, shallow respiration

  ● Flaccid muscles

  ● Hypotension

  ● Cyanosis

  ● Hypothermia or Hyperthermia absent reflexes
• CHRONIC POISONING of antidepressants

  ● Skin rash

  ● Mental confusion

  ● Ataxia

  ● Dizziness

  ● Drowsiness

  ● Hang-over

  ● Depression

  ● Irritability

  ● Poor judgement

  ● Neglect of personal appearance
• TREATMENT

  1.Protect the airway and assist ventilation if necessary

  2. Treat coma, hypothermia, and hypotension if they occur

  3. There is no specific antidote available

  4. Induce emesis or perform gastric lavage

  Note: Lavage is preferred in this toxicity because of the high risk of coma
• COMA TREATMENTS:

  1.Breathing assistance

  2. IV medications

  3. Other supportive care
• HYPOTHERMIA TREATMENTS

  1.Warmed IV fluids

  2. Heated and humidified oxygen

  3. Peritoneal lavage
• HYPOTENSION TREATMENTS

  1.Use more salts

  2. Drink more water

  3. Medications

  • Fludrocortisone
  • Midodrine