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Warning-sign checks

Desipramine hydrochloride 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

    Treat any suspected desipramine overdose as an emergency, even if the person feels well.

    Contact local emergency services or a poison center immediately.

    In the United States, Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 .

    Call emergency services at once if someone has:

    • Collapsed, fainted, or become difficult to wake
    • Had a seizure
    • Developed trouble breathing
    • Become severely confused or agitated
    • Reported a fast or irregular heartbeat
    • Taken desipramine intentionally to cause harm

    Do not give food, drink, activated charcoal, or another medicine unless emergency professionals tell you to do so.

    Do not let the person drive.

    If it is safe, take the medicine container or a photograph of its label to the hospital.

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after emergency care for reviewing medicines, recovery, and emotional health.

    New fainting, seizures, breathing difficulty, or severe heart symptoms are not routine follow-up concerns and need emergency help.

    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

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    And for anyone, someone who:

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

The article also says

Do not make the person vomit.

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