Indomethacin overdose Health Article

Definition

This is poisoning from an overdose of Indocin, a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Alternative Names

Indocin

Poisonous Ingredient

• Indomethacin

Where Found

• Indocin

Symptoms

• Heart and blood
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Congestive heart failure
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Blurred vision
• Lungs and airways
  • Wheezing
• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Possible loss of blood in the stomach and intestinal areas
• Nervous system
  • Headache
  • Agitation
  • Confusion
  • Coma
  • Drowsiness
  • Unsteadiness

Home Treatment

DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

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:

• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)

This type of overdose is usually mild. Very rarely can it cause severe symptoms.