J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1998 Jun;9(2):317-322.

CLINICAL REVIEW OF DOXYLAMINE SUCCINATE OVERDOSE

• Yoon CJ
• Oh JH
• Goo HD
• Lee HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The number of patients of doxylamine overdose has increased, but there were little clinical reports. The purpose of this study is review the patients of doxylamine overdose for aid clinical decision making of patients disposition.
METHODS
We reviewed medical records of patients who ingested doxylamine succinate retrospectively from Jan. 1, 1996 to Dec. 31. 1996. Data that was recorded were followed: age, sex, psychiatric history, amounts of ingestion, time interval from ingestion to arrival to hospital, initial vital signs and symptoms, EKG, chest PA, Lab. findings, treatment, patients disposition, length of hospital stay, complication.
RESULTS
: 1) Total number of patients was ninety and average dosage of ingestion was 1062mg. 2) Tachycardia was the most frequent anticholinergic symptom(46%). 3) Routine lab. findings was not abnormal except one patient who was diagnosed as Rhabdomyolysis. 4) Gut decontamination was performed in patients who had arrived at hospital in 2-3 hours, and who had ingested large dose of drug. 5) Five patients were admitted to Psychiatric dept. and one patient was admitted to emergency dept. for treatment of rhabdomyolysis. 6) The mean duration of hospital stay was 6.5 hours.
CONCLUSION
The patients who ingested overdose of doxylamine was managed safely in emergency department, but we should warn against the possibility of rhabdomyolysis.

MeSH Terms

Decision Making
Decontamination
Doxylamine*
Eating
Electrocardiography
Emergencies
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Length of Stay
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Rhabdomyolysis
Succinic Acid*
Tachycardia
Thorax
Vital Signs
Doxylamine
Succinic Acid