Antihistamine poisoning

• Autores: Simon H.L. Thomas
• Localización: Medicine, ISSN-e 1357-3039, Vol. 44, Nº. 3, 2016, págs. 141-142
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergy, dizziness and nausea. The sedating antihistamines are non-specific in their actions and often have marked anticholinergic effects. Features of toxicity are likely to develop within 6 hours of overdose and include tachycardia, blood pressure disturbances, dry mouth, ataxia, agitation, psychosis and, uncommonly, convulsions or arrhythmias. Sedation is exacerbated by co-ingestion of other central nervous system depressants including alcohol. Non-sedating antihistamines are less toxic in overdose but may cause tachycardia, drowsiness, gastrointestinal disturbances and headache. Arrhythmias have been reported with non-sedating antihistamine overdose but this appears to be rare. Treatment of antihistamine overdose includes activated charcoal (when indicated) and general supportive care. Cardiovascular monitoring, including of the electrocardiogram, is appropriate. Convulsions should be treated with a benzodiazepine.