Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: To report a case of cardiac arrest with residual blindness after Tessalon® overdose, review its clinical manifestations, toxicology and management considerations, and describe the need for rational prescribing. CASE REPORT: A 17-year-old woman with no previous medical history presented to the Emergency Department (ED) status post cardiac arrest. One to two hours prior, the patient had ingested at least 10 200-mg Tessalon® capsules as part of a suicide attempt. The patient was sedated, intubated, and given magnesium as prophylaxis against recurrent dysrhythmias. Emergent gastric lavage was performed and well tolerated. A 24-h hypothermia protocol with 6-h cooling period was initiated. Toxicological studies, chest radiograph, and a computed tomography scan of the head were all unremarkable. The patient was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for further work-up and supportive care. The patient was extubated and able to follow some commands 1 week post-admission. The patient developed blindness and experienced generalized confabulations, which did not resolve. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of Tessalon®, a seemingly innocuous and widely prescribed antitussive, may pose a risk to patients due to its potential for the rapid development of life-threatening adverse events and limited treatment options in the overdose setting. Rational prescribing and patient education is needed.
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Authors | Victor Cohen, Samantha P Jellinek, Lindsay Stansfield, Henry Truong, Cindy Baseluos, John P Marshall |
Journal | The Journal of emergency medicine
(J Emerg Med)
Vol. 41
Issue 2
Pg. 166-71
(Aug 2011)
ISSN: 0736-4679 [Print] United States |
PMID | 19892505
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Antitussive Agents
- Butylamines
- benzonatate
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Antitussive Agents
(poisoning)
- Blindness
(chemically induced)
- Butylamines
(poisoning)
- Drug Overdose
- Female
- Heart Arrest
(chemically induced)
- Humans
- Suicide, Attempted
- Treatment Outcome
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