<unk>  is poisoning caused by excessive medication of the<unk><unk>  (TCA) type. Symptoms may include elevated body temperature, blurred vision, dilated pupils, sleepiness, confusion, seizures, rapid heart rate, and cardiac arrest. If symptoms have not occurred within six hours of exposure they are unlikely to occur. TCA overdose may occur by accident or purposefully in an attempt to cause death. The toxic dose depends on the specific TCA. Most are non-toxic at less than 5 mg/kg except for desipramine, nortriptyline, and trimipramine, which are generally non-toxic at less than 2.5 mg/kg. In small children one or two pills can be fatal. An electrocardiogram (ECG) should be included in the assessment when there is concern of an overdose. In overdose activated charcoal is often recommended. People should not be forced to vomit. In those who have a wide QRS complex () sodium bicarbonate is recommended. If seizures occur benzodiazepines should be given. In those with low blood pressure intravenous fluids and norepinephrine may be used. The use of intravenous lipid emulsion may also be tried. In the early 2000s TCAs were one of the most common cause of poisoning. In the United States in 2004 there were more than 12,000 cases. In the United Kingdom they resulted in about 270 deaths a year. An overdose from TCAs was first reported in 1959.
Tricyclic antidepressant overdose
Benzodiazepine overdose
Opioid overdose
Lithium toxicity
Nicotine withdrawal
Secondary poisoning
Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Carbamate poisoning