Charcoal bezoar. Small-bowel obstruction secondary to amitriptyline overdose therapy.
Nasogastric administration of activated charcoal is effective in decreasing the half-life of amitriptyline. A case is reported in which this therapy for amitriptyline overdose led to charcoal bezoar formation and small-bowel obstruction. Amitriptyline's atropinic side effects on the gut make this a possible complication in such patients.
Ray
M J
MJ
Department of Radiology, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center 90033.
Radin
D R
DR
Condie
J D
JD
Halls
J M
JM
Padin
D R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000506:poisoning*; D001630:Bezoars / Q000209:etiology*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male
D002606:Charcoal; D000639:Amitriptyline