Week 104: Suicide Flashcards
Give some examples of ways to attempt self harm
- Self-immolation
- Overdose
- Hanging
- Carbon monoxide poisoning (decreasing)
- Poisoning (most common among women)
What is the most used drug in overdosing?
Paracetamol (50% of overdoses)
What are four methods of dealing with an overdose?
- Gastric lavage
Not really used
One tube sucks out, other clean fluid in - Forced emesis: ipecac (also charcoal)
- Activated charcoal
Ineffective after a certain time but useful Ineffective with alcohol and metals
Add sorbitol to shorten gut transit time
Has to administered in <1 hour - Urine alkalisation
What are the symptoms of an opioid overdose?
⇒ Strong painkillers: codeine, morphine, heroin
- Decreased level of consciousness
- Constricted pupils
- Bradycardia
- Bradypnoea
- Blue lips/nails (insufficient oxygen in blood)
- Sometimes: seizures, muscle spasms
What are the symptoms of a paracetamol overdose?
- Jaundice - skin and whites of eyes
- Loss of coordination
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) - sweating, trembling, irritability
What are the symptoms of an aspirin overdose?
⇒ Used as a painkiller but mainly for its blood thinning properties
- Sweating
- Tachypnoea
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Temporary hearing loss
What are the symptoms of a tricyclic antidepressant overdose?
⇒ Type of antidepressant
- Excitability
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
- Irregular heartbeat
- Tachycardia
- Low blood pressure - lightheadedness, fainting
What are the symptoms of an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) overdose?
⇒ Type of antidepressant
- Feelings of agitation
- Tremors
- Nystagmus (uncontrolled movement of the eyes)
- Severe muscle tension
What are the symptoms of a beta-blocker overdose?
⇒ Used to treat heat/blood conditions: high blood pressure, angina, heart failure
- Low blood pressure - lightheadedness, fainting
- Bradycardia (<60bpm)
What are the symptoms of a calcium-channel blocker overdose?
⇒ Used in the treatment of high blood pressure and angina
- Feeling agitated
- Low blood pressure - lightheadedness, fainting
- Chest pain
- Bradycardia (<60bpm)
What are the symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose?
⇒ A type of tranquiliser often used short-term to treat anxiety and insomnia
- Coordination and speech difficulties
- Nystagmus (uncontrolled movement of the eyes)
- Shallow breathing
What are the symptoms of a stimulant overdose?
⇒ Include: cocaine, amphetamine, crack/ecstasy
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Restlessness, agitation
- Hallucinations
- High temperature
- Chest pain- Tachypnoea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Tachycardia
What are the symptoms of a cannabis overdose?
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Numbness in arms and legs
What is the antidote to an amitriptyline overdose?
Sodium bicarbonate
What is the antidote to a beta-blocker overdose?
Glucagon
What is the antidote to a benzodiazepine overdose?
Flumazenil
What is the antidote to a cyanide overdose?
Hydroxocobalamin/inhaled nitrates
What is the antidote to a digoxin overdose?
Digoxin antibodies
What is the antidote to a heparin overdose?
Protamine
What is the antidote to a hydrofluoric acid overdose?
Calcium
What is the antidote to an iron overdose?
Desferrioxamine
What is the antidote to a methanol overdose?
Ethanol
What is the antidote to an ethanol overdose?
Glycose
What is the antidote to herbicide poisoning?
Paraqat, also called Fuller’s earth
