Aminophylline Overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from swallowing a large amount of aminophylline or theophylline.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Aminophylline
• Theophylline

Where Found

• Aminophylline
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Phyllin, Theolair, Slo-Bid)
• Various asthma medications

Symptoms

Symptoms in adults may include:

• Gastrointestinal
  • Increased appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (possibly with blood)
  • Increased thirst
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • High blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Palpitations
  • Low blood sugar
• Lungs
  • Breathing difficulty
• Muscles and joints
  • Muscle twitching and cramping
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Irritability
  • Psychosis
  • Hallucinations (thinking something is there, but it's not)
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Confusion
  • Headache
• Whole body
  • Fever
  • Restlessness
  • Sweating

• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Shock
• Muscles and joints
  • Muscle cramps
  • Twitching
• Lungs 
  • Rapid, deep breathing
• Nervous system
  • Tremors
  • Convulsions

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:

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

Expectations (prognosis)

Convulsions and irregular heartbeats may be difficult to control. Some symptoms may occur up to 12 hours after the overdose.

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Review Date:4/4/2006
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.