Diazepam overdose
Definition
This is poisoning from swallowing a large amount of diazepam, a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders.
Alternative Names
Aliseum overdose; Alupram overdose; Atensine overdose; Valium overdose; Valrelease overdose; Vatran overdose; Vivol overdose; Zeltran overdosePoisonous Ingredient
- Diazepam
Where Found
- Diazepam intensol
- Diastat
- Dizac
- Valium
- Valrelease
Symptoms
- Lungs
- Breathing - labored
- Hiccups
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Bouble vision
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Rapid side-to-side movement of the eyes (nystagmus)
- Skin
- Gastrointestinal
- Nervous system
- Drowsiness
- Depression
- Tiredness
- Weariness
- Stupor (lack of alertness)
- Coma
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations (thinking something is there, when it is not)
- Excitability
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Tremor
- Uncoordinated movement
Before Calling Emergency
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
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 U.S. 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 National Poison Control center.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
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:
- Medicines to treat symptoms
- Medicines to make the person throw up
- Activated charcoal
- A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
- Flumazenil, a medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the overdose
- Breathing help
Outlook (Prognosis)
With proper care, recovery normally occurs (except possibly in patients with aplastic anemia).
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
