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Warning-sign checks

Aminophylline overdose: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for a seizure, fainting, chest pain, severe confusion, breathing difficulty, or an irregular heartbeat.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    After returning home, seek urgent advice for renewed vomiting, worsening tremor, marked restlessness, or a persistently fast heartbeat.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up may include checking the medicine name and strength, simplifying the schedule, reviewing other medicines for interactions, and arranging repeat blood tests when appropriate.

    Routine follow-up should also cover recent fever, changes in smoking, liver or heart problems, and any new prescriptions or supplements.

    A pharmacist can help identify duplicate products and interactions.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

The article also says

Hospital monitoring continues until symptoms have resolved, heart rhythm is stable, and repeat theophylline concentrations show a safe downward trend.

Monitoring may last longer after extended-release products or chronic toxicity because levels can rise again or fall slowly.

Before discharge, the care team may review what caused the overdose.

A prescribing clinician should review aminophylline treatment after toxicity.

The clinician may consider whether it remains the best option for the underlying breathing condition.

Patients should not restart, stop, or change the medicine on their own after an overdose.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Aminophylline overdose. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.