Antihistamine Overdose
Antihistamines
are a group of drugs often used to treat allergy related conditions. Although
the drugs often do not cure the condition, they work to provide relief to those
who take them by lessening the intensity of the symptoms they experience.
The
drugs are used in the treatment of numerous allergic conditions, such as hay
fever, allergic skin conditions (such as eczema), allergic reactions resulting
from a bite/sting, amongst others.
As the drugs are so widely used, one may ask
the question – can an antihistamine overdose cause harm to an individual? This
article will aim to answer that question, and more.
Can You Overdose on Antihistamines?
The
simple answer to this question is yes, an antihistamine overdose is possible,
and can lead to numerous adverse side effects. It is also important to note
that when these drugs are taken with other drugs, such as alcohol or
antidepressants, then the results can be dangerous as well as unpredictable.
Although the drugs are commonly available without the need for prescription,
precaution should always be exercised, and you should only take the drug as
directed.
Antihistamine
Overdose Symptoms
Although
overdosing is rarely fatal, it can, as mentioned, produce adverse side effects.
Some common side effects of an antihistamine overdose include:
·
Drowsiness
·
Unsteadiness or clumsiness
·
Concentration problems
·
Blurry vision
·
Seizures
·
Tremors
·
Muscle spasms
·
Mouth dryness
·
Hallucinations
·
Fainting
·
Sleeping problems
·
Facial redness or flushing
In
more extreme cases, more serious symptoms may ensue, such as:
·
Abnormal heart rate
·
Hyperthermia
·
Kidney damage
If you
suspect that an overdose of the drug has occurred, then you should seek
emergency medical attention. It is important to note that some of the side
effects pertaining to an overdose are also relatable to the side effects that
you may experience simply from consuming the drug.
The best way to avoid any
potential problems is to ensure that you never exceed the suggested dose.
Antihistamine Proper Dosing
To avoid
antihistamine overdose, it’s important to take the proper amount. The dose of
medicine that an individual requires will often vary person-to-person.
It is
always advisable to seek the advice of a medical professional before starting
any course of medication, and to always follow the guidance given on the label.
When taking the medication, there are some tips you can follow to help with the
ease of consumption, such as:
· When taken orally, ease the
process by swallowing the medication with a glass of milk or water.
· For those taking the extended relief tablets, ensure
that the tablet is swallowed whole, as opposed to breaking it up and swallowing
it in pieces, as this will lessen the effect.
· If the medication is taken as a suppository, first
remove the suppository from its outer wrapper and wet with water. Lie on your
side and gently push the suppository deep into your rectum, via the use of your
finger. If the medication appears to be too soft while trying to insert it, you
can chill it in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes or so, and then try
again.
· If you are taking the drug in the form of an
injection, and you choose to administer the injection
yourself, then ensure that you know exactly what you are doing, i.e. where to
inject, dosage requirements, and safety regulations (hygiene, storage etc.).
As
mentioned, you should always follow the advice of your healthcare professional
before figuring out whether you should take medication, and the required
dosage.
If you cannot seek the help of a medical professional, then always
follow the dosage guidelines on the label of the medication, and never exceed
the recommended dose, as this will likely increase the chances of you
experiencing adverse and unwanted side effects.
Here is the detailed dosing
information on different types of antihistamines like azatadine,
chlorpheniramine, etc.
Antihistamines Precautions and Side Effects
Besides
knowing the proper dose to avoid antihistamine overdose, many precautions must
be taken when consuming any medication and the same is true in the case of
antihistamines. Some notable precautions are listed below:
· Antihistamines will increase the effects
of alcohol and depressant drugs such as
sedatives, sleeping medication, tranquilizers, barbiturates, seizure
medication, relaxants, anaesthetics, etc. if you are regularly taking one of
these CNS depressants, then ensure to speak with a health care professional
before beginning the consumption of antihistamines.
· If you have organised a visit to the doctor to be
tested for an allergy, ensure to mention whether you have been taking
antihistamines or not, as if you are, it can affect the results of the test.
· If you are taking a large amount of aspirin
along with antihistamines, then be sure to tell your doctor, as the symptoms
of too much aspirin may be clouded by the side effects of antihistamines.
· For patients who are taking the antihistamines
dimenhydrinate, hydroxyzine, or diphenhydramine, it is
important to remember that these medications can control nausea and vomiting so
that you cannot notice if you are overdosing with something that can cause
these two symptoms. As is the case in most instances, tell your doctor if you
are taking these medications, as it may result in a misdiagnosis due to
symptoms being related to other conditions like appendicitis.
· If you are using the antihistamines doxylamine
or diphenhydramine for help with sleeping, then be sure to not mix it with
other sleeping aids and tranquilizers. If you have taken other medication,
ensure to speak with your doctor before you begin the consumption of
antihistamines.
Side
Effects
As with
most drugs, antihistamines do not only provide individuals with their intended
effect, they also come with many side effects.
Although you may experience few
or no side effects, if they do develop and persist, then it would be wise to
seek medical attention. Some common side effects associated with the use of
antihistamines include:
·
Drowsiness
·
Headache
·
Dry mouth, throat, and/or nose
·
Stomach pain, nausea
·
Mucus thickening
·
Increased appetite/weight gain
Some less
common, rarer side effects of antihistamine consumption include:
·
Cough
·
Sore throat
·
Chills
·
Excretory discolorment (dark urine, clay coloured
stools)
·
Painful/Difficult urination
·
Diarrhea
·
Irregular heartbeat
·
Fever
·
Itching
·
Difficulty swallowing
·
Swelling around the face, eye lids, tongue, and/or
lips
·
Chest tightness
·
Wheezing
·
Abnormal/Unexpected bruising/bleeding
·
Abnormal/Unexpected weakness/tiredness
·
Stomach upset
·
Belching
·
Vision changes/Blurred vision
·
Clumsiness
·
Difficulty in manoeuvring
·
Menstrual irregularities
·
Joint pain
·
Muscle pain
·
Loss of appetite
·
Ringing in the ears
·
Rash on the skin
·
Runny nose
·
Joint inflammation
·
Swollen neck glands
·
Unexpected/Unwarranted excitement, irritability,
restlessness, and/or nervousness
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