Tricyclic psychotropic drugs: complications and therapy of Choloprothixen-intoxication
Rasenack, U.; Gattenlöhner
Medizinische Klinik 71(12): 507-512
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8458 PMID: 1263998 Document Number: 107011
The broad use of tricyclic psychotropic drugs demands from the physician to take in account the side effects of these drugs. These side effects relate primarily to the cardiovascular system. We describe a suicidal Chlorprothixen(Taractan-)intoxication of a 27 year old female patient. The progress of this intoxication was characterized by severe arrhythmias, mainly ventricular tachycardias. The pathogeneisis of the cardiotoxic reaction is discussed. Since there is no specific antidot against these drugs, therapy of side effects is limited to symptomatic treatment including administration of cholinergic drugs. Severe cardiovascular reaction also can be found, when the drugs are used in therapeutic doses. The cardiodepressive effect of tricyclic psychotropic drugs may lead to considerable complications, especially in older patients.