title: Prolonged coma and loss of brainstem reflexes following amitriptyline overdose.
abstract: Severe tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose is generally manifested by cardiovascular and/or central nervous system toxicity. Although the majority of patients who are comatose following these overdoses regain consciousness within 24 h, this case had 5-days of coma with associated loss of brainstem reflexes. Severe central nervous system depression can occur as a sole manifestation of TCA overdose without concomitant cardiovascular toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, St Francis Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Roberge
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Krenzelok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000506:poisoning*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000506:poisoning*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects*; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline