Overdose with Naphthyzine
Naphthyzine is a vasoconstrictor drug that relieves the symptoms of the common cold. Its action is due to the effect of therapeutic doses on α2-adrenergic receptors. When the dose is exceeded, the drug begins to act on α1-adrenergic receptors. Long-term use of Naphthyzin leads to the development of addiction. In this case, the prescribed doses cease to produce the desired therapeutic effect, and in order to achieve it, the drug has to be used more and more often - this becomes the cause of an overdose.
Source: i1.rozetka.ua
How much Naphthyzine is needed for an overdose?
The dosage regimen of Naphthyzin depends on the age of the patient. The drug is contraindicated for children in the first year of life. At the age of 1–6 years, a 0.05% solution is instilled 2 times a day, 1 drop into each nostril. In children over 6 years of age and in adults, use a 0.1% solution 3 times a day, 1-3 drops in each nasal passage. The course of treatment is not more than 5 days.
Exceeding the indicated doses or frequency of administration leads to the development of an overdose. Also, an overdose of Naphthyzine can occur with accidental or deliberate ingestion of it. It poses the greatest danger to children in the first years of life, as it is characterized by a severe course, up to a lethal outcome.
Signs of overdose
The main signs of an overdose with Naphthyzine:
- nausea, vomiting;
- constriction of the pupils;
- increased body temperature;
- cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes;
- violation of the rhythm of the heart;
- increased heart rate (tachycardia);
- increased blood pressure (BP);
- mental disorders.
Source: depositphotos.com
In severe forms of overdose, the central nervous system is suppressed, the vasomotor and respiratory centers of the brain stem are affected. This is manifested by the following symptoms:
- drowsiness;
- decrease in blood pressure;
- lowering body temperature;
- decreased heart rate (bradycardia);
- breathing disorders;
- coma;
- development of pulmonary edema.
This condition is life threatening, if the victim is not provided with urgent medical care, death may occur due to respiratory and cardiovascular failure.
First aid for an overdose of Naphthyzin
If an overdose of Naphthyzine was caused by its ingestion, the first aid algorithm is as follows:
- Gastric lavage: drink a few glasses of water, then provoke vomiting, irritating the root of the tongue. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times. It must be borne in mind that gastric lavage at home should not be done to children of the first years of life and people who are in an unconscious or semi-conscious state.
- Take an aqueous suspension of activated carbon: grind tablets (at the rate of 1 tablet for every 10 kg of weight) into powder, stir with a small amount of water (no more than ½ cup).
If the overdose is caused by exceeding the prescribed dose or frequency of administration, first aid is to stop further use of nasal drops and immediately seek medical help.
Antidote
There is no specific antidote to Naphthyzin.
When is medical attention needed?
If symptoms of an acute overdose of Naphthyzine appear, you must immediately call an ambulance and only then start providing first aid. It is critically important to observe this rule in case of an overdose that occurs in children in the first years of life.
In the hospital, symptomatic treatment is carried out aimed at eliminating violations of the respiratory and cardiovascular system or at preventing their development:
- in case of breathing disorders - inhalation with humidified oxygen. The increase in respiratory failure is the basis for transferring the patient to artificial ventilation. Pulmonary edema therapy;
- to lower blood pressure - injections of 2% papaverine hydrochloride solution subcutaneously, 2.5% aminazin solution intramuscularly or 2.4% euphyllin solution intravenously. If a persistent therapeutic effect is not achieved, 1% Pyroxan solution or 1% Tronafen solution is injected intramuscularly (block α-adrenergic receptors, thereby weakening the vasoconstrictor effect of Naphthyzin);
- in case of respiratory arrest and cardiac activity - a complex of resuscitation measures.
Possible consequences
In mild cases of an overdose with Naphthyzine, all symptoms disappear within a day, provided that further use of the drug is stopped.
The consequences of severe intoxication can be:
- pneumonia against the background of breathing disorders;
- a sharp increase in blood pressure, dangerous for the elderly (the prospect of developing a stroke or myocardial infarction).
YouTube video related to the article:
Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
