Management of massive verapamil overdose.
A 53-year-old man presented to hospital after an overdose (4.8 g) of verapamil. He developed profound bradycardia and hypotension, requiring treatment with calcium salts, dobutamine, isoprenaline and cardiac pacing. As calcium channel blockers are more widely used, self-poisoning will become more common. The effects, although serious, are self-limiting and recovery within 48 hours is the rule provided adequate support is given.
Watson
N A
NA
Accident and Emergency Department, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Brisbane, QLD.
FitzGerald
C P
CP
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014700:Verapamil / Q000506:poisoning*
D014700:Verapamil