Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdose
A Review
- David A. Frommer, MD;
- Kenneth W. Kulig, MD;
- John A. Marx, MD;
- Barry Rumack, MD
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston City Hospital (Dr Frommer); the Clinical Toxicology Fellowship Program (Dr Kulig) and the Department of Pediatrics (Dr Rumack), University of Colorado Medical School, Denver; and the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center (Drs Kulig and Rumack) and the Department of Emergency Medicine (Dr Marx), Denver General Hospital.
Abstract
Significant advances in diagnosis and management of tricyclic antidepressant overdose have occurred in recent years. This article reviews epidemiologic, pharmacologic, and therapeutic information to provide a systematic approach to these potentially life-threatening overdoses. The tricyclics are discussed as a group, with individual drugs specified when established differences exist.
(JAMA 1987;257:521-526)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston City Hospital, 818 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118 (Dr Frommer).
