MOBILE VIEW  | 

THIOXANTHENES

Classification   |    Detailed evidence-based information

Therapeutic Toxic Class

    A) The thioxanthenes are used as antipsychotic agents.

Specific Substances

    A) CONSTITUENTS OF THE GROUP
    1) Chlorprothixene
    2) Flupenthixol
    a) Flupentixol
    b) Flupentixolum
    c) LC 44
    d) LU 5-110
    e) N 7009
    3) Thiothixene
    4) Zuclopenthixol

Available Forms Sources

    A) FORMS
    1) Chlorprothixene: Is available in: tablets (10, 25, 50, or 100 mg each); concentrate (100 mg/5 mL); and ampuls (25 mg/2 mL) (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    2) Flupenthixol: Is available as an intramuscular depot injectable (decanoate salt). Flupenthixol is also available in oral formulation, and as the palmitate salt.
    3) Thiothixene: Is available in: capsules (1, 2, 5, 10, or 20 mg each); oral concentrate (5 mg/mL); and intramuscular (2 mg/mL or 5 mg/mL) formulations (Prod Info Navane(R), thiothixene, 1999).
    4) Zuclopenthixol is only marketed outside the United States.
    B) SOURCES
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL: Flupenthixol decanoate in oil for intramuscular use is marketed outside the United States (US). Flupenthixol palmitate is also available outside the US.
    C) USES
    1) The thioxanthenes are antipsychotics used for the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia.
    2) Flupenthixol is primarily used for the treatment of acute and chronic psychoses. Although it has been studied in depressive illnesses and cocaine withdrawal, further research is needed.

Range Of Toxicity

    A) CHLORPROTHIXENE is given in therapeutic doses of up to 600 milligrams/day; as little as 1.5 grams in combination with other agents has caused death.
    B) FLUPENTHIXOL has been administered therapeutically in doses of up to 224 milligrams/day.
    C) THIOTHIXENE has been administered therapeutically in doses of up to 60 milligrams/day.

Life Support

    A) This overview assumes that basic life support measures have been instituted.

Clinical Effects

    0.2.1) SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE
    A) Review the patient's history carefully. Patients who have been previously exposed to neuroleptics, or who have ingested more than one neuroleptic simultaneously, have the potential to experience a more dangerous clinical course.
    B) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Most common major effects of acute intoxication are somnolence, coma, seizures, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory depression. Possible sequelae include acute reversible renal failure.
    C) FLUPENTHIXOL - Major effects with acute intoxication include extrapyramidal movements, somnolence, and tardive dyskinesia. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with chronic therapeutic use and may occur in overdose. Sudden death has been reported during therapeutic use.
    D) THIOTHIXENE - Major effects with acute intoxication include hypotension, somnolence, extrapyramidal signs, and tardive dyskinesia. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with therapeutic use and may occur in overdose.
    0.2.3) VITAL SIGNS
    A) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Respiratory depression and dyspnea may occur with overdose. Hypotension may develop after a delay of several hours and persist for up to three days. Transient orthostatic hypotension may occasionally result in syncope. Overdose has occasionally resulted in acute reversible renal insufficiency with resultant hypertension. Pyrexia may occur with overdose.
    B) FLUPENTHIXOL - Hyperpyrexia may occur secondary to neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Altered mental status may result in respiratory depression.
    C) THIOTHIXENE - Hypotension may occur with overdose. Altered mental status may result in respiratory depression.
    0.2.4) HEENT
    A) Constricted pupils may occur with chlorprothixene overdose. However, comatose patients often present with fixed pupils.
    0.2.5) CARDIOVASCULAR
    A) Cardiac arrest, ventricular extrasystoles and ventricular fibrillation have been reported with chlorprothixene overdose. Ventricular tachycardia may occur with overdose. Three cases of cardiopulmonary arrest and sudden death have been reported in patients receiving chronic flupenthixol therapy.
    0.2.6) RESPIRATORY
    A) Respiratory depression may occur with overdose of thioxanthenes.
    0.2.7) NEUROLOGIC
    A) Coma, CNS depression, weakness, and drowsiness may occur with overdose of thioxanthenes. During recovery from overdose, seizures may occur. The thioxanthenes cause extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, mania with therapeutic use, and may cause them with overdose as well. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with overdose and therapeutic use of thioxanthenes.
    0.2.10) GENITOURINARY
    A) Hematuria, oliguria, and acute renal insufficiency have been reported rarely in patients who overdosed on chlorprothixene.
    0.2.13) HEMATOLOGIC
    A) Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia have been reported with zuclopenthixol therapy. LEUKOCYTOSIS has been reported as a manifestation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
    0.2.20) REPRODUCTIVE
    A) Safe use of chlorprothixene, flupenthixol, and thiothixene during human pregnancy has not been established. Third-trimester antipsychotic drug exposure has been associated with extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms in neonates. No teratogenic effects have been observed in animal studies on chlorprothixene and thiothixene. Flupenthixol is excreted in breast milk.

Laboratory Monitoring

    A) Monitor acid-base status, fluid and electrolyte balance, hepatic enzyme levels (serum ALP, SGOT, and SGPT) and renal function. Patients with clinical signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be monitored for rising serum CPK levels and leukocyte count.
    B) Monitor urine output, especially in overdoses of CHLORPROTHIXENE, which may precipitate acute renal failure.

Treatment Overview

    0.4.2) ORAL/PARENTERAL EXPOSURE
    A) Transport any suspected overdose patient to a health care facility as soon as possible. Admit any patient with clinical signs of phenothiazine overdose.
    1) Take careful patient history to determine previous exposure and present exposure to neuroleptic agents. DO NOT induce emesis. Administer activated charcoal for recent, substantial ingestions.
    2) Positioning, fluids, and dopamine, norepinephrine or phenylephrine are the treatment of choice for hypotension. Be prepared to treat seizures in patients with CNS excitation.
    3) Treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias with lidocaine followed by pacing if needed. Treat neuroleptic malignant syndrome with dantrolene or bromocriptine along with conservative treatment.
    4) TORSADES DE POINTES: Hemodynamically unstable patients require electrical cardioversion. Treat stable patients with magnesium (first-line agent) and/or atrial overdrive pacing. Correct electrolyte abnormalities (ie, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia) and hypoxia, if present.
    a) MAGNESIUM SULFATE/DOSE: ADULT: 1 to 2 grams diluted in 10 milliliters D5W IV/IO over 15 minutes. An optimal dose has not been established. Followed if needed by a second 2 gram bolus and an infusion of 0.5 to 1 gram/hour, if dysrhythmias recur. CHILDREN: 25 to 50 mg/kg diluted to 10 mg/mL; infuse IV over 5 to 15 minutes.
    b) OVERDRIVE PACING: Begin at 130 to 150 beats per minute, decrease as tolerated.
    c) Avoid class Ia (eg, quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide), class Ic (eg, flecainide, encainide, propafenone) and most class III antidysrhythmics (eg, N-acetylprocainamide, sotalol).
    5) RHABDOMYOLYSIS: Administer sufficient 0.9% saline (10 to 15 mL/kg/hour) to maintain urine output of at least 1 to 2 mL/kg/hour (or greater than 150 to 300 mL/hr). Monitor input and output, serum electrolytes, CK, and renal function. Diuretics may be necessary to maintain urine output, but should only be considered if urine output is inadequate after volume status is restored. Urinary alkalinization is NOT routinely recommended.

Summary Of Exposure

    A) Review the patient's history carefully. Patients who have been previously exposed to neuroleptics, or who have ingested more than one neuroleptic simultaneously, have the potential to experience a more dangerous clinical course.
    B) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Most common major effects of acute intoxication are somnolence, coma, seizures, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory depression. Possible sequelae include acute reversible renal failure.
    C) FLUPENTHIXOL - Major effects with acute intoxication include extrapyramidal movements, somnolence, and tardive dyskinesia. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with chronic therapeutic use and may occur in overdose. Sudden death has been reported during therapeutic use.
    D) THIOTHIXENE - Major effects with acute intoxication include hypotension, somnolence, extrapyramidal signs, and tardive dyskinesia. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with therapeutic use and may occur in overdose.

Vital Signs

    3.3.1) SUMMARY
    A) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Respiratory depression and dyspnea may occur with overdose. Hypotension may develop after a delay of several hours and persist for up to three days. Transient orthostatic hypotension may occasionally result in syncope. Overdose has occasionally resulted in acute reversible renal insufficiency with resultant hypertension. Pyrexia may occur with overdose.
    B) FLUPENTHIXOL - Hyperpyrexia may occur secondary to neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Altered mental status may result in respiratory depression.
    C) THIOTHIXENE - Hypotension may occur with overdose. Altered mental status may result in respiratory depression.
    3.3.2) RESPIRATIONS
    A) RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION may occur.
    1) CHLROPROTHIXENE - Respiratory depression may occur with overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    B) DYSPNEA may occur.
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Dyspnea may occur with overdose (Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    3.3.3) TEMPERATURE
    A) PYREXIA may occur.
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Pyrexia may occur with overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994; Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    3.3.4) BLOOD PRESSURE
    A) HYPOTENSION has been reported.
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Hypotension may develop after a delay of several hours and persist for up to three days (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994). Transient orthostatic hypotension may occasionally result in syncope (Rossen & Steiness, 1981).
    2) THIOTHIXEN - Hypotension may occur with overdose (Prod Info NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, 2004).
    B) HYPERTENSION has been reported.
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Overdose has resulted in acute reversible renal insufficiency with resultant hypertension (Rossen & Steiness, 1981).

Heent

    3.4.1) SUMMARY
    A) Constricted pupils may occur with chlorprothixene overdose. However, comatose patients often present with fixed pupils.
    3.4.3) EYES
    A) MIOSIS may occur
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Constricted pupils may occur with overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    B) FIXED PUPILS are common in comatose patients.
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Fixed pupils are commonly seen in comatose patients after overdose (Plumb & Joseph, 1964).

Cardiovascular

    3.5.1) SUMMARY
    A) Cardiac arrest, ventricular extrasystoles and ventricular fibrillation have been reported with chlorprothixene overdose. Ventricular tachycardia may occur with overdose. Three cases of cardiopulmonary arrest and sudden death have been reported in patients receiving chronic flupenthixol therapy.
    3.5.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) CARDIAC ARREST
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - Turbott & Smeeton (1984) reported 3 cases of sudden death in patients receiving flupenthixol decanoate chronically(Turbott & Smeeton, 1984). All patients were young (ages 23, 25, and 29) and were healthy except for their psychotic illnesses.
    a) Although a causal relationship was not established, autopsy and toxicological screening failed to demonstrate any other abnormalities that could account for death. More study is needed to assess the risk of cardiopulmonary complications with flupenthixol.
    2) CHLORPROTHIXENE - With overdose, cardiorespiratory arrest with subsequent persistent ventricular extrasystoles and ventricular fibrillation have been reported (Koppel et al, 1987).
    B) TACHYARRHYTHMIA
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Sinus tachycardia may occur in overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994; Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    C) VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - With overdose, persistent ventricular extrasystoles and ventricular fibrillation have been reported (Koppel et al, 1987).

Respiratory

    3.6.1) SUMMARY
    A) Respiratory depression may occur with overdose of thioxanthenes.
    3.6.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) ACUTE RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Respiratory depression may occur with overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).

Neurologic

    3.7.1) SUMMARY
    A) Coma, CNS depression, weakness, and drowsiness may occur with overdose of thioxanthenes. During recovery from overdose, seizures may occur. The thioxanthenes cause extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, mania with therapeutic use, and may cause them with overdose as well. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with overdose and therapeutic use of thioxanthenes.
    3.7.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) COMA
    1) ACUTE TOXICITY
    a) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Coma and drowsiness may occur with overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994). Large overdoses usually precipitate coma within a few hours of ingestion (Morgan & Baltch, 1969; Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    2) THIOTHIXENE - Coma, CNS depression, weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness may occur with overdose (Prod Info NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, 2004).
    B) SEIZURE
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - During recovery from overdose, seizures may occur (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994). Seizures have been reported within 10 hours of overdose in pediatric and adult cases (Plumb & Joseph, 1964; Morgan & Baltch, 1969).
    C) EXTRAPYRAMIDAL DISEASE
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - Induced movement disorders in patients receiving therapeutic doses of intramuscular depot preparations chronically (Dick & Saunders, 1981; Gibson, 1979; Barnes & Wiles, 1983; Turbott & Smeeton, 1984; Kolakowska et al, 1985).
    2) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Dystonia, akathisia, and pseudoparkinsonism may be seen with therapeutic use (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994), and with overdose (Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    3) THIOTHIXENE - Muscular twitching, rigidity, torticollis, tremor, dysphagia, and disturbance of gait may occur with overdose (Prod Info NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, 2004). Patients given moderate to high therapeutic doses of thiothixene have experienced persistent akathisia (Tune et al, 1981).
    D) NEUROLEPTIC-INDUCED TARDIVE DYSKINESIA
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - As with other neuroleptics, tardive dyskinesias have been reported with therapeutic use of flupenthixol (Barnes & Wiles, 1983).
    2) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Potentially irreversible involuntary choreoathetoid movements of the head, face, trunk, and extremities may develop with therapeutic use or overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    3) THIOTHIXENE - Potentially irreversible involuntary choreoathetoid movements of the head, face, trunk, and extremities may develop with therapeutic use or overdose (Prod Info NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, 2004).
    E) NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - Depot flupenthixol, when given in combination with other neuroleptics, has been implicated as a cause of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (Freyne & McCarthy, 1988; Bhugra & Low, 1986). McCarthy et al (1988) described a case of fatal neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in a 36-year-old man receiving depot flupenthixol, trifluoperazine, and chlorpromazine.
    a) SIGNS - Included rigidity, hyperthermia, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, sweating, and leukocytosis. The patient suffered an intractable cardiopulmonary arrest 6 days post-admission.
    b) Although flupenthixol may have been partially responsible, the phenothiazines undoubtedly also played a causal role in this case.
    2) CHLORPROTHIXENE - NMS, as manifested by hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of autonomic instability (diaphoresis, cardiac dysrhythmias), may occur with therapeutic use and overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    3) THIOTHIXENE - NMS, as manifested by hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and evidence of autonomic instability (diaphoresis, cardiac dysrhythmias), may occur with therapeutic use or overdose (Prod Info NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, 2004).
    F) MANIA
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - Szabo (1993) described a case of mania in a 30-year-old schizophrenic man after receiving intramuscular flupenthixol 20 milligrams and oral chlorpromazine 600 milligrams/day for 3 days. The dose of chlorpromazine was increased and lithium was started which caused his symptoms to improve.

Gastrointestinal

    3.8.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) DRUG-INDUCED GASTROINTESTINAL DISTURBANCE
    1) CHRONIC TOXICITY
    a) ESOPHAGEAL AND COLONIC DILATATION
    1) THIOTHIXENE - A 51-year-old male with a history of schizoaffective disorder developed esophageal and colonic dilatation, and urinary retention after taking thiothixene 10 milligrams three times a day, lithium carbonate 900 milligrams per day, and benztropine 2 milligrams twice a day for 4 years. On discontinuation of all medications, the patient experienced complete resolution of the esophageal dilatation and a marked reduction in colonic distention. Upon rechallenge with thiothixene and benztropine, his symptoms quickly returned. The daily dose of thiothixene was decreased to 20 milligrams and benztropine to 2 milligrams with his lithium dose unchanged. Again, the patient experienced complete resolution of all symptoms (Woodring et al, 1993).

Genitourinary

    3.10.1) SUMMARY
    A) Hematuria, oliguria, and acute renal insufficiency have been reported rarely in patients who overdosed on chlorprothixene.
    3.10.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) ACUTE RENAL FAILURE SYNDROME
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Especially in dehydrated patients, acute renal insufficiency may occur after overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    a) Some reports have suggested that chlorprothixene has direct nephrotoxic activity (Scheithauer et al, 1988; Morgan & Baltch, 1969; Tuomi & Jokinen, 1969). Others attribute its ability to cause renal insufficiency to ischemia following hypotensive episodes following overdose (Rossen & Steiness, 1981).
    B) BLOOD IN URINE
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Hematuria may occur during recovery from overdose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994; Scheithauer et al, 1988).
    C) RETENTION OF URINE
    1) CHRONIC TOXICITY
    a) THIOTHIXENE - A 51-year-old male with a history of schizoaffective disorder developed esophageal and colonic dilatation, and urinary retention after taking thiothixene 10 milligrams three times a day, lithium carbonate 900 milligrams per day, and benztropine 2 milligrams twice a day for 4 years. On discontinuation of all medications, the patient experienced complete resolution of the esophageal dilatation and a marked reduction in colonic distention. Upon rechallenge with thiothixene and benztropine, his symptoms quickly returned. The daily dose of thiothixene was decreased to 20 milligrams and benztropine to 2 milligrams with his lithium dose unchanged. Again, the patient experienced complete resolution of all symptoms (Woodring et al, 1993).

Hematologic

    3.13.1) SUMMARY
    A) Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia have been reported with zuclopenthixol therapy. LEUKOCYTOSIS has been reported as a manifestation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
    3.13.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) LEUKOCYTOSIS
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - Leukocytosis has been reported as a manifestation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) (McCarthy et al, 1988).
    B) THROMBOCYTOPENIC DISORDER
    1) ZUCLOPENTHIXOL - A 66-year-old man with chronic schizophrenia developed neutropenia (nadir of 2.9 x 10(9) cells/L, 18.9 percent granulocytes) and thrombocytopenia (nadir of 109 x 10(9)/L) shortly after initiation of zuclopenthixol. Effects resolved upon discontinuation of zuclopenthixol (Hirshberg et al, 2000).

Musculoskeletal

    3.15.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) COMPARTMENT SYNDROME
    1) ACUTE TOXICITY
    a) FLUPENTHIXOL - Compartment syndrome, probably secondary to prolonged limb compression during unconsciousness, occurred in a 36-year-old man 20 hours after taking 450 mg flupenthixol and an unknown quantity of methixene tablets in a suicide attempt (Gerrand et al, 1997).

Reproductive

    3.20.1) SUMMARY
    A) Safe use of chlorprothixene, flupenthixol, and thiothixene during human pregnancy has not been established. Third-trimester antipsychotic drug exposure has been associated with extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms in neonates. No teratogenic effects have been observed in animal studies on chlorprothixene and thiothixene. Flupenthixol is excreted in breast milk.
    3.20.2) TERATOGENICITY
    A) ANIMAL STUDIES
    1) LACK OF EFFECT
    a) CHLORPROTHIXENE: No teratological effects have been observed in studies on rats and mice given doses up to 24 mg/kg (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    b) THIOTHIXENE: Rats and rabbits given thiothixene during pregnancy experienced decreased litter size and conception rate and increased rate of resorptions. Thiothixene administration before and during gestation in rats (5 to 15 mg/kg/day), rabbits (3 to 50 mg/kg/day), and monkeys (1 to 3 mg/kg/day) resulted in no teratogenic effects (Prod Info NAVANE(R) oral capsules, 2010).
    3.20.3) EFFECTS IN PREGNANCY
    A) EXTRAPYRAMIDAL AND/OR WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
    1) Maternal use of antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of neonatal extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms (eg, agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, and feeding disorder) following delivery. Severity of these adverse effects have ranged from cases that are self-limiting to cases that required prolonged periods of hospitalization and ICU care (Prod Info NAVANE(R) oral capsules, 2010).
    B) CHLORPROTHIXENE
    1) Safe use of chlorprothixene during human pregnancy has not been established (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    C) FLUPENTHIXOL
    1) Flupenthixol crosses the placenta; fetal serum levels are approximately 24% of maternal serum levels (Kirk & Jorgensen, 1980; Briggs et al, 1998).
    a) One report described a case in which a woman received oral flupenthixol 1 mg/day throughout the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Although no adverse effects were detected in the infant over the first 4 months, more study is needed before the drug can be safely used in pregnant women (Matheson & Skjaeraasen, 1988).
    D) THIOTHIXENE
    1) THIOTHIXENE: Safe use of thiothixene during human pregnancy has not been established (Prod Info NAVANE(R) oral capsules, 2010).
    2) In one study, 38 newborns were exposed to thiothixene during the first trimester of pregnancy. One major birth defect (cardiovascular defect) was reported. No other anomalies were observed (Rosa & Baum, 1995).
    E) ANIMAL STUDIES
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE: Rats given up to 24 mg/kg during pregnancy experienced decreased litter size and weight, decreased conception rate, and increased rate of stillbirths. No deleterious effects were seen in rabbits given the same dose (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    2) THIOTHIXENE: Rats and rabbits given thiothixene during pregnancy experienced decreased litter size and conception rate and increased rate of resorptions (Prod Info NAVANE(R) oral capsules, 2010).
    3.20.4) EFFECTS DURING BREAST-FEEDING
    A) BREAST MILK
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL is excreted in the breast milk. In one study, cis(Z)-flupenthixol concentrations in maternal breast milk were approximately 30% greater than maternal serum concentrations (Kirk & Jorgensen, 1980).
    a) While the authors stated that the amount of flupenthixol delivered to the breastfeeding infant would be small and of little or no significance, more study is needed to assess the safety of flupenthixol use during breastfeeding.
    b) In another report, milk concentrations were measured in one patient from 2 to 4.5 hours post-dosing. The mean milk:serum ratio was 0.85 (Matheson & Skjaeraasen, 1988a).
    1) Although no abnormalities were detected in the nursing infant over the first 4 months of life, the investigators concluded that more information is needed before the drug can be used safely in lactating women.
    2) THIOTHIXENE may be excreted in breast milk, but experience with other psychotropic agents indicates levels in breast milk are negligible (O'Brien, 1974; Ayd, 1973; Anderson, 1977).

Monitoring Parameters Levels

    4.1.1) SUMMARY
    A) Monitor acid-base status, fluid and electrolyte balance, hepatic enzyme levels (serum ALP, SGOT, and SGPT) and renal function. Patients with clinical signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be monitored for rising serum CPK levels and leukocyte count.
    B) Monitor urine output, especially in overdoses of CHLORPROTHIXENE, which may precipitate acute renal failure.
    4.1.2) SERUM/BLOOD
    A) BLOOD/SERUM CHEMISTRY
    1) Monitor acid-base status, fluid and electrolyte balance, hepatic enzyme levels (serum ALP, SGOT, and SGPT) and renal function. Patients with clinical signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be monitored for rising serum CPK levels and leukocyte count.
    2) FLUPENTHIXOL - Therapeutic serum concentrations of flupenthixol have not been defined; no correlation between serum concentrations and clinical response has been reported (Jann et al, 1985).
    4.1.3) URINE
    A) OTHER
    1) Monitor urine output, especially in overdoses of CHLORPROTHIXENE, which may precipitate acute renal failure.

Methods

    A) MULTIPLE ANALYTICAL METHODS
    1) Spectrofluorometric and thin-layer chromatographic analyses may be performed on blood, serum, urine, and plasma to obtain chlorprothixene levels (Christensen, 1974; Morgan & Baltch, 1969).
    2) High performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) has been used to determine zuclopenthixol levels in postmortem specimens (Kollroser et al, 2001).

Life Support

    A) Support respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Patient Disposition

    6.3.1) DISPOSITION/ORAL EXPOSURE
    6.3.1.1) ADMISSION CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) Admit any patient who has possibly overdosed on thioxanthenes and who is showing clinical signs, especially hypotension, seizures, CNS depression, cardiovascular abnormalities, or serious extrapyramidal effects.
    6.3.1.2) HOME CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) Any patient who has possibly overdosed on thioxanthenes needs to be transported to a hospital emergency department.

Monitoring

    A) Monitor acid-base status, fluid and electrolyte balance, hepatic enzyme levels (serum ALP, SGOT, and SGPT) and renal function. Patients with clinical signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be monitored for rising serum CPK levels and leukocyte count.
    B) Monitor urine output, especially in overdoses of CHLORPROTHIXENE, which may precipitate acute renal failure.

Oral Exposure

    6.5.1) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION/PREHOSPITAL
    A) EMESIS/NOT RECOMMENDED
    1) Emesis is not recommended because of the possibility of a dystonic reaction or CNS depression and subsequent aspiration.
    B) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
    1) PREHOSPITAL ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION
    a) Consider prehospital administration of activated charcoal as an aqueous slurry in patients with a potentially toxic ingestion who are awake and able to protect their airway. Activated charcoal is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion. Administration in the prehospital setting has the potential to significantly decrease the time from toxin ingestion to activated charcoal administration, although it has not been shown to affect outcome (Alaspaa et al, 2005; Thakore & Murphy, 2002; Spiller & Rogers, 2002).
    1) In patients who are at risk for the abrupt onset of seizures or mental status depression, activated charcoal should not be administered in the prehospital setting, due to the risk of aspiration in the event of spontaneous emesis.
    2) The addition of flavoring agents (cola drinks, chocolate milk, cherry syrup) to activated charcoal improves the palatability for children and may facilitate successful administration (Guenther Skokan et al, 2001; Dagnone et al, 2002).
    2) CHARCOAL DOSE
    a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005).
    1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
    b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
    2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
    6.5.2) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION
    A) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
    1) CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION
    a) Consider administration of activated charcoal after a potentially toxic ingestion (Chyka et al, 2005). Administer charcoal as an aqueous slurry; most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion.
    2) CHARCOAL DOSE
    a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005).
    1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
    b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
    2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
    6.5.3) TREATMENT
    A) SEIZURE
    1) SUMMARY
    a) Attempt initial control with a benzodiazepine (eg, diazepam, lorazepam). If seizures persist or recur, administer phenobarbital or propofol.
    b) Monitor for respiratory depression, hypotension, and dysrhythmias. Endotracheal intubation should be performed in patients with persistent seizures.
    c) Evaluate for hypoxia, electrolyte disturbances, and hypoglycemia (or, if immediate bedside glucose testing is not available, treat with intravenous dextrose).
    2) DIAZEPAM
    a) ADULT DOSE: Initially 5 to 10 mg IV, OR 0.15 mg/kg IV up to 10 mg per dose up to a rate of 5 mg/minute; may be repeated every 5 to 20 minutes as needed (Brophy et al, 2012; Prod Info diazepam IM, IV injection, 2008; Manno, 2003).
    b) PEDIATRIC DOSE: 0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg IV over 2 to 5 minutes; up to a maximum of 10 mg/dose. May repeat dose every 5 to 10 minutes as needed (Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011; Hegenbarth & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs, 2008).
    c) Monitor for hypotension, respiratory depression, and the need for endotracheal intubation. Consider a second agent if seizures persist or recur after repeated doses of diazepam .
    3) NO INTRAVENOUS ACCESS
    a) DIAZEPAM may be given rectally or intramuscularly (Manno, 2003). RECTAL DOSE: CHILD: Greater than 12 years: 0.2 mg/kg; 6 to 11 years: 0.3 mg/kg; 2 to 5 years: 0.5 mg/kg (Brophy et al, 2012).
    b) MIDAZOLAM has been used intramuscularly and intranasally, particularly in children when intravenous access has not been established. ADULT DOSE: 0.2 mg/kg IM, up to a maximum dose of 10 mg (Brophy et al, 2012). PEDIATRIC DOSE: INTRAMUSCULAR: 0.2 mg/kg IM, up to a maximum dose of 7 mg (Chamberlain et al, 1997) OR 10 mg IM (weight greater than 40 kg); 5 mg IM (weight 13 to 40 kg); INTRANASAL: 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg up to a maximum of 10 mg/dose (Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011; Brophy et al, 2012). BUCCAL midazolam, 10 mg, has been used in adolescents and older children (5-years-old or more) to control seizures when intravenous access was not established (Scott et al, 1999).
    4) LORAZEPAM
    a) MAXIMUM RATE: The rate of intravenous administration of lorazepam should not exceed 2 mg/min (Brophy et al, 2012; Prod Info lorazepam IM, IV injection, 2008).
    b) ADULT DOSE: 2 to 4 mg IV initially; repeat every 5 to 10 minutes as needed, if seizures persist (Manno, 2003; Brophy et al, 2012).
    c) PEDIATRIC DOSE: 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg IV over 2 to 5 minutes, up to a maximum of 4 mg/dose; may repeat in 5 to 15 minutes as needed, if seizures continue (Brophy et al, 2012; Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011; Hegenbarth & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs, 2008; Sreenath et al, 2009; Chin et al, 2008).
    5) PHENOBARBITAL
    a) ADULT LOADING DOSE: 20 mg/kg IV at an infusion rate of 50 to 100 mg/minute IV. An additional 5 to 10 mg/kg dose may be given 10 minutes after loading infusion if seizures persist or recur (Brophy et al, 2012).
    b) Patients receiving high doses will require endotracheal intubation and may require vasopressor support (Brophy et al, 2012).
    c) PEDIATRIC LOADING DOSE: 20 mg/kg may be given as single or divided application (2 mg/kg/minute in children weighing less than 40 kg up to 100 mg/min in children weighing greater than 40 kg). A plasma concentration of about 20 mg/L will be achieved by this dose (Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011).
    d) REPEAT PEDIATRIC DOSE: Repeat doses of 5 to 20 mg/kg may be given every 15 to 20 minutes if seizures persist, with cardiorespiratory monitoring (Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011).
    e) MONITOR: For hypotension, respiratory depression, and the need for endotracheal intubation (Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011; Manno, 2003).
    f) SERUM CONCENTRATION MONITORING: Monitor serum concentrations over the next 12 to 24 hours. Therapeutic serum concentrations of phenobarbital range from 10 to 40 mcg/mL, although the optimal plasma concentration for some individuals may vary outside this range (Hvidberg & Dam, 1976; Choonara & Rane, 1990; AMA Department of Drugs, 1992).
    6) OTHER AGENTS
    a) If seizures persist after phenobarbital, propofol or pentobarbital infusion, or neuromuscular paralysis with general anesthesia (isoflurane) and continuous EEG monitoring should be considered (Manno, 2003). Other anticonvulsants can be considered (eg, valproate sodium, levetiracetam, lacosamide, topiramate) if seizures persist or recur; however, there is very little data regarding their use in toxin induced seizures, controlled trials are not available to define the optimal dosage ranges for these agents in status epilepticus (Brophy et al, 2012):
    1) VALPROATE SODIUM: ADULT DOSE: An initial dose of 20 to 40 mg/kg IV, at a rate of 3 to 6 mg/kg/minute; may give an additional dose of 20 mg/kg 10 minutes after loading infusion. PEDIATRIC DOSE: 1.5 to 3 mg/kg/minute (Brophy et al, 2012).
    2) LEVETIRACETAM: ADULT DOSE: 1000 to 3000 mg IV, at a rate of 2 to 5 mg/kg/min IV. PEDIATRIC DOSE: 20 to 60 mg/kg IV (Brophy et al, 2012; Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011).
    3) LACOSAMIDE: ADULT DOSE: 200 to 400 mg IV; 200 mg IV over 15 minutes (Brophy et al, 2012). PEDIATRIC DOSE: In one study, median starting doses of 1.3 mg/kg/day and maintenance doses of 4.7 mg/kg/day were used in children 8 years and older (Loddenkemper & Goodkin, 2011).
    4) TOPIRAMATE: ADULT DOSE: 200 to 400 mg nasogastric/orally OR 300 to 1600 mg/day orally divided in 2 to 4 times daily (Brophy et al, 2012).
    B) HYPOTENSIVE EPISODE
    1) CHOICE OF VASOPRESSORS: Fluid challenge is sufficient for correction of hypotension in most patients. Some reviews recommend avoidance of mixed alpha/beta agonists (epinephrine, dopamine) due to theoretical production of unopposed beta vasodilation, resulting in worsened hypotension (Benowitz et al, 1979). No primary research or case reports in either humans or animals could be found to substantiate this theory.
    a) Dopamine is expected to be effective for agents with less alpha blockade activity (piperazines, haloperidol, loxapine, molindone, thioxanthenes). In theory, exacerbation of hypotension is more likely with overdose of agents with high alpha activity (chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine).
    b) Because dopamine is more easily administered and can often be instituted more readily, it is recommended as the agent of choice. If hypotension does not respond to dopamine, an agent with more selective alpha agonist activity is a logical second choice (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, metaraminol).
    2) SUMMARY
    a) Infuse 10 to 20 milliliters/kilogram of isotonic fluid and keep the patient supine. If hypotension persists, administer dopamine or norepinephrine. Consider central venous pressure monitoring to guide further fluid therapy.
    3) DOPAMINE
    a) DOSE: Begin at 5 micrograms per kilogram per minute progressing in 5 micrograms per kilogram per minute increments as needed (Prod Info dopamine hcl, 5% dextrose IV injection, 2004). If hypotension persists, dopamine may need to be discontinued and a more potent vasoconstrictor (eg, norepinephrine) should be considered (Prod Info dopamine hcl, 5% dextrose IV injection, 2004).
    b) CAUTION: If ventricular dysrhythmias occur, decrease rate of administration (Prod Info dopamine hcl, 5% dextrose IV injection, 2004). Extravasation may cause local tissue necrosis, administration through a central venous catheter is preferred (Prod Info dopamine hcl, 5% dextrose IV injection, 2004).
    4) NOREPINEPHRINE
    a) PREPARATION: 4 milligrams (1 amp) added to 1000 milliliters of diluent provides a concentration of 4 micrograms/milliliter of norepinephrine base. Norepinephrine bitartrate should be mixed in dextrose solutions (dextrose 5% in water, dextrose 5% in saline) since dextrose-containing solutions protect against excessive oxidation and subsequent potency loss. Administration in saline alone is not recommended (Prod Info norepinephrine bitartrate injection, 2005).
    b) DOSE
    1) ADULT: Dose range: 0.1 to 0.5 microgram/kilogram/minute (eg, 70 kg adult 7 to 35 mcg/min); titrate to maintain adequate blood pressure (Peberdy et al, 2010).
    2) CHILD: Dose range: 0.1 to 2 micrograms/kilogram/minute; titrate to maintain adequate blood pressure (Kleinman et al, 2010).
    3) CAUTION: Extravasation may cause local tissue ischemia, administration by central venous catheter is advised (Peberdy et al, 2010).
    C) CONDUCTION DISORDER OF THE HEART
    1) PROLONGED QT: Phenothiazine overdose, particularly thioridazine, may produce prolongation of the QT interval, decreased T wave amplitude, and prominent U waves (Ellenhorn & Barceloux, 1988).
    a) Since the phenothiazines produce "quinidine-like" effects on the myocardium, quinidine, procainamide, and disopyramide should be avoided.
    2) VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA/FIBRILLATION: The major arrhythmias likely to occur. Unstable rhythms require cardioversion. Initial pharmacologic therapy of ventricular dysrhythmias should be lidocaine.
    a) Cardioversion is often required for ventricular tachycardia, and is the initial treatment for ventricular fibrillation, but the arrhythmias are often resistant. A pacing wire may be the only effective treatment, especially if atrioventricular block is present (Burgess et al, 1979).
    b) Fowler et al (1976) recommend that ventricular tachyarrhythmias due to phenothiazine toxicity be managed like quinidine-induced ventricular tachycardia: administration of lidocaine, followed by pacing if needed (Fowler et al, 1976).
    c) Tri & Combs (1975) report a case of thioridazine-induced ventricular tachycardia which initially responded to lidocaine, but subsequently necessitated the use of procainamide (which is not recommended by most authors) and direct current cardioversion (Tri & Combs, 1975).
    d) ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK: If a high grade atrioventricular block is evident, implant a catheter pacemaker in the right ventricle.
    D) LIDOCAINE
    1) LIDOCAINE/INDICATIONS
    a) Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (Prod Info Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, 2006; Neumar et al, 2010; Vanden Hoek et al, 2010).
    2) LIDOCAINE/DOSE
    a) ADULT: 1 to 1.5 milligrams/kilogram via intravenous push. For refractory VT/VF an additional bolus of 0.5 to 0.75 milligram/kilogram can be given at 5 to 10 minute intervals to a maximum dose of 3 milligrams/kilogram (Neumar et al, 2010). Only bolus therapy is recommended during cardiac arrest.
    1) Once circulation has been restored begin a maintenance infusion of 1 to 4 milligrams per minute. If dysrhythmias recur during infusion repeat 0.5 milligram/kilogram bolus and increase the infusion rate incrementally (maximal infusion rate is 4 milligrams/minute) (Neumar et al, 2010).
    b) CHILD: 1 milligram/kilogram initial bolus IV/IO; followed by a continuous infusion of 20 to 50 micrograms/kilogram/minute (de Caen et al, 2015).
    3) LIDOCAINE/MAJOR ADVERSE REACTIONS
    a) Paresthesias; muscle twitching; confusion; slurred speech; seizures; respiratory depression or arrest; bradycardia; coma. May cause significant AV block or worsen pre-existing block. Prophylactic pacemaker may be required in the face of bifascicular, second degree, or third degree heart block (Prod Info Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, 2006; Neumar et al, 2010).
    4) LIDOCAINE/MONITORING PARAMETERS
    a) Monitor ECG continuously; plasma concentrations as indicated (Prod Info Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, 2006).
    E) TORSADES DE POINTES
    1) SUMMARY
    a) Withdraw the causative agent. Hemodynamically unstable patients with Torsades de pointes (TdP) require electrical cardioversion. Emergent treatment with magnesium (first-line agent) or atrial overdrive pacing is indicated. Detect and correct underlying electrolyte abnormalities (ie, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia). Correct hypoxia, if present (Drew et al, 2010; Neumar et al, 2010; Keren et al, 1981; Smith & Gallagher, 1980).
    b) Polymorphic VT associated with acquired long QT syndrome may be treated with IV magnesium. Overdrive pacing or isoproterenol may be successful in terminating TdP, particularly when accompanied by bradycardia or if TdP appears to be precipitated by pauses in rhythm (Neumar et al, 2010). In patients with polymorphic VT with a normal QT interval, magnesium is unlikely to be effective (Link et al, 2015).
    2) MAGNESIUM SULFATE
    a) Magnesium is recommended (first-line agent) for the prevention and treatment of drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP) even if the serum magnesium concentration is normal. QTc intervals greater than 500 milliseconds after a potential drug overdose may correlate with the development of TdP (Charlton et al, 2010; Drew et al, 2010). ADULT DOSE: No clearly established guidelines exist; an optimal dosing regimen has not been established. Administer 1 to 2 grams diluted in 10 milliliters D5W IV/IO over 15 minutes (Neumar et al, 2010). Followed if needed by a second 2 gram bolus and an infusion of 0.5 to 1 gram (4 to 8 mEq) per hour in patients not responding to the initial bolus or with recurrence of dysrhythmias (American Heart Association, 2005; Perticone et al, 1997). Rate of infusion may be increased if dysrhythmias recur. For persistent refractory dysrhythmias, a continuous infusion of up to 3 to 10 milligrams/minute in adults may be given (Charlton et al, 2010).
    b) PEDIATRIC DOSE: 25 to 50 milligrams/kilogram diluted to 10 milligrams/milliliter for intravenous infusion over 5 to 15 minutes up to 2 g (Charlton et al, 2010).
    c) PRECAUTIONS: Use with caution in patients with renal insufficiency.
    d) MAJOR ADVERSE EFFECTS: High doses may cause hypotension, respiratory depression, and CNS toxicity (Neumar et al, 2010). Toxicity may be observed at magnesium levels of 3.5 to 4.0 mEq/L or greater (Charlton et al, 2010).
    e) MONITORING PARAMETERS: Monitor heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respiratory rate, motor strength, deep tendon reflexes, serum magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations (Prod Info magnesium sulfate heptahydrate IV, IM injection, solution, 2009).
    3) OVERDRIVE PACING
    a) Institute electrical overdrive pacing at a rate of 130 to 150 beats per minute, and decrease as tolerated. Rates of 100 to 120 beats per minute may terminate torsades (American Heart Association, 2005). Pacing can be used to suppress self-limited runs of TdP that may progress to unstable or refractory TdP, or for override refractory, persistent TdP before the potential development of ventricular fibrillation (Charlton et al, 2010). In a case series overdrive pacing was successful in terminating TdP associated with bradycardia and drug-induced QT prolongation (Neumar et al, 2010).
    4) POTASSIUM REPLETION
    a) Potassium supplementation, even if serum potassium is normal, has been recommended by many experts (Charlton et al, 2010; American Heart Association, 2005). Supplementation to supratherapeutic potassium concentrations of 4.5 to 5 mmol/L has been suggested, although there is little evidence to determine the optimal range in dysrhythmia (Drew et al, 2010; Charlton et al, 2010).
    5) ISOPROTERENOL
    a) Isoproterenol has been successful in aborting torsades de pointes that was resistant to magnesium therapy in a patient in whom transvenous overdrive pacing was not an option (Charlton et al, 2010) and has been successfully used to treat torsades de pointes associated with bradycardia and drug induced QT prolongation (Keren et al, 1981; Neumar et al, 2010). Isoproterenol may have a limited role in pharmacologic overdrive pacing in select patients with drug-induced torsades de pointes and acquired long QT syndrome (Charlton et al, 2010; Neumar et al, 2010). Isoproterenol should be avoided in patients with polymorphic VT associated with familial long QT syndrome (Neumar et al, 2010).
    b) DOSE: ADULT: 2 to 10 micrograms/minute via a continuous monitored intravenous infusion; titrate to heart rate and rhythm response (Neumar et al, 2010).
    c) PRECAUTIONS: Correct hypovolemia before using; contraindicated in patients with acute cardiac ischemia (Prod Info Isuprel(TM) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intracardiac injection, 2013).
    1) Contraindicated in patients with preexisting dysrhythmias; tachycardia or heart block due to digitalis toxicity; ventricular dysrhythmias that require inotropic therapy; and angina. Use with caution in patients with coronary insufficiency (Prod Info Isuprel(TM) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intracardiac injection, 2013).
    d) MAJOR ADVERSE EFFECTS: Tachycardia, cardiac dysrhythmias, palpitations, hypotension or hypertension, nervousness, headache, dizziness, and dyspnea (Prod Info Isuprel(TM) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intracardiac injection, 2013).
    e) MONITORING PARAMETERS: Monitor heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respirations and central venous pressure to guide volume replacement (Prod Info Isuprel(TM) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intracardiac injection, 2013).
    6) OTHER DRUGS
    a) Mexiletine, verapamil, propranolol, and labetalol have also been used to treat TdP, but results have been inconsistent (Khan & Gowda, 2004).
    7) AVOID
    a) Avoid class Ia antidysrhythmics (eg, quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, aprindine), class Ic (eg, flecainide, encainide, propafenone) and most class III antidysrhythmics (eg, N-acetylprocainamide, sotalol) since they may further prolong the QT interval and have been associated with TdP.
    F) NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME
    1) May be successfully managed with intravenous benzodiazepines, intravenous or oral dantrolene sodium, diphenhydramine, or oral bromocriptine, in conjunction with cooling and other supportive care (May et al, 1983; Mueller et al, 1983; Leikin et al, 1987; Schneider, 1991) (Barkin, 1992).
    a) DANTROLENE LOADING DOSE: 2.5 milligrams/kilogram, to a maximum of 10 milligrams/kilogram intravenously (Barkin, 1992).
    b) DANTROLENE MAINTENANCE DOSE: 2.5 milligrams/kilogram intravenously every 6 hours (Barkin, 1992); 1 milligram/kilogram orally every 12 hours, up to 50 milligrams/dose has also been successful (May et al, 1983).
    c) BROMOCRIPTINE DOSE: 5 milligrams three times a day orally (Mueller et al, 1983).
    d) NON-PHARMACOLOGIC METHODS: Rapid cooling, hydration, and serial assessment of respiratory, cardiovascular, renal and neurologic function, and fluid status are used in conjunction with drug therapy and discontinuation of the neuroleptic agent (Knight & Roberts, 1986).
    2) In a review of 67 case reports of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, the onset of clinical response was shorter after treatment with DANTROLENE (mean 1.15 days) or BROMOCRIPTINE (1.03 days) than with supportive measures alone (6.8 days).
    a) The time to complete resolution was also shorter with these therapeutic interventions (Rosenberg & Green, 1989).
    3) RETROSPECTIVE STUDY: A study comparing 438 untreated patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome and 196 treated cases found that administration of dantrolene, bromocriptine, or amantadine significantly reduced the death rate in these cases (Sakkas et al, 1991).
    a) Death rate of untreated cases was 21 percent; administration of dantrolene alone (no dosage reported) decreased death rate to 8.6 percent (n=58); with bromocriptine alone death rate was 7.8 percent (n=51); and with amantadine alone death rate was 5.9 percent (n=17).
    b) In combination with other drugs, each of these drugs significantly decreased the NMS-related death rate, although the decrease was slightly less than for single administrations.
    G) DRUG-INDUCED DYSTONIA
    1) ADULT
    a) BENZTROPINE: 1 to 4 mg once or twice daily intravenously or intramuscularly; maximum dose: 6 mg/day; 1 to 2 mg of the injection will usually provide quick relief in emergency situations (Prod Info benztropine mesylate IV, IM injection, 2009).
    b) DIPHENHYDRAMINE: 10 to 50 mg intravenously at a rate not exceeding 25 mg/minute or deep intramuscularly; maximum dose: 100 mg/dose; 400 mg/day (Prod Info diphenhydramine hcl injection, 2006).
    2) CHILDREN
    a) DIPHENHYDRAMINE: 5 mg/kg/day or 150 mg/m(2)/day intravenously divided into 4 doses at a rate not to exceed 25 mg/min, or deep intramuscularly; maximum dose: 300 mg/day. Not recommended in premature infants and neonates (Prod Info diphenhydramine hcl injection, 2006).
    3) When the dystonia resolves, patient should be put on maintenance doses of Benadryl(R) or Cogentin(R) for two days.
    H) RHABDOMYOLYSIS
    1) SUMMARY: Early aggressive fluid replacement is the mainstay of therapy and may help prevent renal insufficiency. Diuretics such as mannitol or furosemide may be added if necessary to maintain urine output but only after volume status has been restored as hypovolemia will increase renal tubular damage. Urinary alkalinization is NOT routinely recommended.
    2) Initial treatment should be directed towards controlling acute metabolic disturbances such as hyperkalemia, hyperthermia, and hypovolemia. Control seizures, agitation, and muscle contractions (Erdman & Dart, 2004).
    3) FLUID REPLACEMENT: Early and aggressive fluid replacement is the mainstay of therapy to prevent renal failure. Vigorous fluid replacement with 0.9% saline (10 to 15 mL/kg/hour) is necessary even if there is no evidence of dehydration. Several liters of fluid may be needed within the first 24 hours (Walter & Catenacci, 2008; Camp, 2009; Huerta-Alardin et al, 2005; Criddle, 2003; Polderman, 2004). Hypovolemia, increased insensible losses, and third spacing of fluid commonly increase fluid requirements. Strive to maintain a urine output of at least 1 to 2 mL/kg/hour (or greater than 150 to 300 mL/hour) (Walter & Catenacci, 2008; Camp, 2009; Erdman & Dart, 2004; Criddle, 2003). To maintain a urine output this high, 500 to 1000 mL of fluid per hour may be required (Criddle, 2003). Monitor fluid input and urine output, plus insensible losses. Monitor for evidence of fluid overload and compartment syndrome; monitor serum electrolytes, CK, and renal function tests.
    4) DIURETICS: Diuretics (eg, mannitol or furosemide) may be needed to ensure adequate urine output and to prevent acute renal failure when used in combination with aggressive fluid therapy. Loop diuretics increase tubular flow and decrease deposition of myoglobin. These agents should be used only after volume status has been restored, as hypovolemia will increase renal tubular damage. If the patient is maintaining adequate urine output, loop diuretics are not necessary (Vanholder et al, 2000).
    5) URINARY ALKALINIZATION: Alkalinization of the urine is not routinely recommended, as it has never been documented to reduce nephrotoxicity, and may cause complications such as hypocalcemia and hypokalemia (Walter & Catenacci, 2008; Huerta-Alardin et al, 2005; Brown et al, 2004; Polderman, 2004). Retrospective studies have failed to demonstrate any clinical benefit from the use of urinary alkalinization (Brown et al, 2004; Polderman, 2004; Homsi et al, 1997).
    6) MANNITOL/INDICATIONS
    a) Osmotic diuretic used in the management of rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria (Zimmerman & Shen, 2013).
    7) RHABDOMYOLYSIS/MYOGLOBINURIA
    a) ADULT: TEST DOSE: (for patients with marked oliguria or those with inadequate renal function) 0.2 g/kg IV as a 15% to 25% solution infused over 3 to 5 minutes to produce a urine flow of at least 30 to 50 mL/hr; a second test dose may be given if urine flow does not increase within 2 to 3 hours. The patient should be reevaluated if there is inadequate response following the second test dose (Prod Info MANNITOL intravenous injection, 2009). TREATMENT DOSE: 50 to 100 g IV as a 15% to 25% solution may be used. The rate should be adjusted to maintain urinary output at 30 to 50 mL/hour (Prod Info mannitol IV injection, urologic irrigation, 2006) OR 300 to 400 mg/kg or up to 100 g IV administered as a single dose (Prod Info MANNITOL intravenous injection, 2009).
    b) PEDIATRIC: Dosing has not been established in patients less than 12 years of age(Prod Info Mannitol intravenous injection, 2009). TEST DOSE (for patients with marked oliguria or those with inadequate renal function): 0.2 g/kg or 6 g/m(2) body surface area IV as a 15% to 25% solution infused over 3 to 5 minutes to produce a urine flow of at least 30 to 50 mL/hr; a second test dose may be given if urine flow does not increase; TREATMENT DOSE: 0.25 to 2 g/kg or 60 g/m(2) body surface area IV as a 15% to 20% solution over 2 to 6 hours; do not repeat dose for persistent oliguria (Prod Info MANNITOL intravenous injection, 2009).
    8) ADVERSE EFFECTS
    a) Fluid and electrolyte imbalance, in particular sodium and potassium; expansion of the extracellular fluid volume leading to pulmonary edema or CHF exacerbations(Prod Info MANNITOL intravenous injection, 2009).
    9) PRECAUTION
    a) Contraindicated in well-established anuria or impaired renal function not responding to a test dose, pulmonary edema, CHF, severe dehydration; caution in progressive oliguria and azotemia; do not add to whole blood for transfusions(Prod Info Mannitol intravenous injection, 2009); enhanced neuromuscular blockade observed with tubocurarine(Miller et al, 1976).
    10) MONITORING PARAMETERS
    a) Renal function, urine output, fluid balance, serum potassium, serum sodium, and serum osmolality (Prod Info Mannitol intravenous injection, 2009).
    I) SUPPORT
    1) Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance closely.
    2) Keep warm to avoid hypothermia.

Enhanced Elimination

    A) EXTRACORPOREAL ELIMINATION
    1) Due to thioxanthenes' high degree of protein binding and large volume of distribution, peritoneal and hemodialysis are generally believed ineffective at removing thioxanthenes and influencing clinical course after overdose; however, little specific information is available (Prod Info NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, 2004; Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    a) CHLORPROTHIXENE CASE REPORT: An adult woman survived an overdose of approximately 10 grams; treatment was initiated 2-12 hours postingestion (Koppel et al, 1987). Combined hemoperfusion/hemodialysis (HP/HD) was performed when supportive treatment was deemed ineffective (Koppel et al, 1987).
    b) On admission, the patient received gastric lavage and activated charcoal. 200 milligrams of chlorprothixene were recovered from the lavage fluid. The patient was comatose, seizing, and experiencing intermittent ventricular fibrillation.
    c) Starting 2 hours after admission, HP/HD was performed for one four hour course and the patient's clinical condition improved during this time. While HP/HD was being performed, plasma concentration of chlorprothixene dropped from over 10 micrograms/milliliter to less than 0.1 microgram/milliliter. However, only 160 milligrams chlorprothixene was eliminated (1.6% of the estimated 10 gram dose ingested).
    d) The patient's clinical condition steadily improved and she was transferred 8 days after admission. While it is not clear that HP/HD was directly responsible for the patient's clinical improvement during and after enhanced elimination, the authors argue that the therapeutic efficacy of HP/HD should not be based exclusively on the amount of drug eliminated from the body.

Case Reports

    A) SPECIFIC AGENT
    1) FLUPENTHIXOL - Severe dystonias occurred in a 17-year-old boy who received 40 mg of intramuscular flupenthixol monthly for 3 months (Dick & Saunders, 1981).
    2) NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME - McCarthy et al (1988) described a case of fatal neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in a 36-year-old man receiving flupenthixol 80 mg every 2 weeks.
    a) The patient was also taking trifluoperazine 20 mg twice daily and chlorpromazine 200 mg at bedtime. He had presented 6 months earlier with the same illness on the same drug regimen, but was misdiagnosed as having an acute viral infection. Spontaneous resolution occurred without discontinuation of the neuroleptics.
    b) Upon readmission, the patient presented with severe signs and symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, including rigidity, hyperthermia, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, sweating, and leukocytosis. He was successfully resuscitated initially, but suffered an intractable cardiopulmonary arrest 6 days post-admission.
    c) Although flupenthixol may have been partially responsible, the phenothiazines undoubtedly also played a causal role in this case.
    3) CHLORPROTHIXENE A 22-year-old man who had taken 3 grams oral chlorprothixene in a suicide gesture was admitted 20 hours later in a comatose state with subsequent generalized seizures (Rossen & Steiness, 1981).
    a) The patient developed acute reversible renal failure, with serum creatinine levels as high as 8 mg/dL, and blood urea nitrogen levels up to 76 mg/dL on the third day postingestion. After treatment, renal function returned to normal.
    b) Urinalysis showed no glucose or protein; renal biopsy performed six days following ingestion showed no abnormalities. The authors suggested that ischemia resulting from shock and hypotension caused renal insufficiency, rather than any direct nephrotoxic effect of chlorprothixene.
    4) A 33-year-old man ingested greater than 3 grams chlorprothixene and was found 28 hours postingestion in a coma. On admission, the patient was nonresponsive with intermittent generalized seizures (Morgan & Baltch, 1969).
    a) The patient developed hematuria and acute renal failure with peak blood urea nitrogen of 130 mg/dL and serum creatinine of 13.9 mg/dL on the 7th day postingestion. Urinalysis revealed isosthenuric specific gravity and proteinuria.
    b) Spectrofluorometric analysis of body fluids for chlorprothixene levels approximately 2 days postingestion yielded: Urine, 54.3 mcg/cc; plasma, 5.6 mcg/cc; serum, 5.4 mcg/cc; and blood, 2.5 mcg/cc.
    5) PEDIATRIC: A three-year-old boy ingested 1 gram chlorprothixene and was in a coma with dystonic episodes upon admission several hours later. He remained unconscious for 9 more hours. Clonic-tonic seizures developed 10 hours postingestion (Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    a) Serum chlorprothixene level 24 hours postingestion was 2.7 mcg/mL. Two days later, it was 0.64 mcg/mL. With supportive care, the patient recovered with no residual sequelae.

Summary

    A) CHLORPROTHIXENE is given in therapeutic doses of up to 600 milligrams/day; as little as 1.5 grams in combination with other agents has caused death.
    B) FLUPENTHIXOL has been administered therapeutically in doses of up to 224 milligrams/day.
    C) THIOTHIXENE has been administered therapeutically in doses of up to 60 milligrams/day.

Therapeutic Dose

    7.2.1) ADULT
    A) SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Oral - 25 to 50 milligrams 3 to 4 times daily; should not exceed 600 milligrams per day; Parenteral - 25 to 50 milligrams intramuscularly up to 3 or 4 times daily (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    2) FLUPENTHIXOL - Depot intramuscular flupenthixol decanoate doses have ranged from 10 milligrams monthly to 100 milligrams weekly (Turbott & Smeeton, 1984); typical doses are 5 to 40 milligrams every 2 to 4 weeks (Chowdhury & Chacon, 1980; Maragakis, 1990).
    a) Oral flupenthixol has been used in doses of 0.5 to 224 milligrams daily (Parent & Toussaint, 1983; Ovhed, 1976; Robertson & Trimble, 1981; Reynolds, 2000).
    3) THIOTHIXENE - Oral - 2 milligrams given 3 times daily, up to 5 milligrams given twice daily. Total daily dose usually ranges between 15 and 60 milligrams/day, with the optimal dose being between 20 to 30 milligrams/day (Prod Info Navane(R), thiothixene, 1999).
    a) INTRAMUSCULAR THIOTHIXENE - 4 milligrams injected 2 to 4 times daily; maximum recommended dosage is 30 milligrams/day (Prod Info Navane(R), thiothixene, 1999).
    7.2.2) PEDIATRIC
    A) SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Not recommended in children LESS THAN 6 YEARS OF AGE. ORAL - 10 to 25 milligrams, 3 to 4 times daily; PARENTERAL - NOT recommended in children (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994).
    2) THIOTHIXENE - Not recommended for use in children LESS THAN 12 YEARS OF AGE (Prod Info Navane(R), thiothixene, 1999).

Minimum Lethal Exposure

    A) SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Oral doses may be fatal in the range of 2.5 to 4 grams or above (Prod Info Taractan(R), chlorprothixene, 1994). Christensen (1974) reported two cases of adults who died after taking as little as 1.5 g chlorprothixene in combination with barbiturates or tricyclic antidepressants.
    2) ZUCLOPENTHIXOL - Kollroser et al (2001) reported a fatal case of a woman with bipolar affective disorder who received 3 injections of zuclopenthixol acetate 200 mg each (with intervals of 2 and 3 days between each dose), carbamazepine (200 mg PO) and zotepine (400 mg PO) and a single dose of 50 mg of chlorprothixene IM. Autopsy revealed pulmonary and visceral congestion. Postmortem levels of zuclopenthixol in body fluids were: peripheral blood (vena subclavia) - 0.60 mcg/mL; heart blood - 0.68 mcg/mL; gastric content - not detected (Kollroser et al, 2001).

Maximum Tolerated Exposure

    A) SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE
    1) CHLORPROTHIXENE
    a) ADULTS - Two adult males survived overdoses of 3 grams and greater of oral chlorprothixene; treatment was not initiated until 20 to 28 hours after ingestion (Rossen & Steiness, 1981; Morgan & Baltch, 1969). Adults survived oral ingestion of approximately 5 and 8 grams (Plumb & Joseph, 1964). An adult woman survived an estimated dose of 10 grams; treatment was initiated 2-12 hours postingestion (Koppel et al, 1987).
    b) PEDIATRIC - A 1-year-old child survived an oral dose of 1075 milligrams; a 3-year-old survived ingestion of one gram (Plumb & Joseph, 1964).

Serum Plasma Blood Concentrations

    7.5.1) THERAPEUTIC CONCENTRATIONS
    A) THERAPEUTIC CONCENTRATION LEVELS
    1) SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE
    a) FLUPENTHIXOL - Therapeutic serum concentrations of flupenthixol have not been defined; no correlation between serum concentrations and clinical response has been reported (Jann et al, 1985).
    1) After intravenous injection of a 1 mg dose of pure cis(Z)-flupenthixol (the active isomer) in 3 subjects, the maximum serum level was approximately 4 ng/mL (Balant-Gorgia & Balant, 1987).
    2) Jorgensen et al (1982) found that maximum serum flupenthixol concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 2.5 ng/mL after a single 5 mg oral dose.
    3) CONCLUSION - Therapeutic serum concentrations of flupenthixol have not been carefully defined; no correlation between serum concentrations and clinical response has been reported (Jann et al, 1985).
    b) CHLORPROTHIXENE - Therapeutic blood concentration: 0.04 - 0.3 mcg/mL (Koppel et al, 1987).
    7.5.2) TOXIC CONCENTRATIONS
    A) TOXIC CONCENTRATION LEVELS
    1) SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE
    a) CHLORPROTHIXENE -
    1) ADULT - A 33-year-old man ingested greater than 3 grams chlorprothixene and was found 28 hours postingestion in a coma (Morgan & Baltch, 1969). Spectrofluorometric analysis of body fluids for chlorprothixene levels approximately 2 days postingestion yielded: Urine, 54.3 mcg/cc; plasma, 5.6 mcg/cc; serum, 5.4 mcg/cc; and blood, 2.5 mcg/cc.
    2) PEDIATRIC - A three-year-old child who ingested 1 gram of oral chlorprothixene had a serum level of 2.7 mcg/mL 24 hours postingestion. Three days postingestion, the level had dropped to 0.64 mcg/mL (Plumb & Joseph, 1964).
    2) CONCENTRATION LEVEL
    a) FATAL CONCENTRATIONS - Christensen (1974) studied 12 patients who died of chlorprothixene overdoses and found the following average tissue concentrations of chlorprothixene and its metabolites: 0-1 mcg/mg in the blood; 0.1-15 mcg/mL in the urine; and 22-86 mcg/g in the liver.
    b) Lethal blood concentration - 1-2 mcg/mL (Koppel et al, 1987)

Toxicity Information

    7.7.1) TOXICITY VALUES
    A) CHLORPROTHIXENE
    1) LD50- (INTRAMUSCULAR)MOUSE:
    a) > 125 mg/kg (Prod Info Taractan(R), 1994)
    2) LD50- (INTRAPERITONEAL)MOUSE:
    a) 56200 mcg/kg (RTEC, 2000)
    3) LD50- (ORAL)MOUSE:
    a) 50100 mcg/kg (RTEC, 2000)
    4) LD50- (ORAL)RAT:
    a) 200 mg/kg (RTEC, 2000)

Pharmacologic Mechanism

    A) FLUPENTHIXOL - Like other neuroleptics, flupenthixol is an antagonist at postsynaptic D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (Gawin et al, 1989).
    1) Low doses of flupenthixol may exert selective effects on inhibitory presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors. This may partially explain its activating and antidepressant properties (Gawin et al, 1989).

Toxicologic Mechanism

    A) FLUPENTHIXOL - Like other neuroleptics, flupenthixol is an antagonist at postsynaptic D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (Gawin et al, 1989).
    B) THIOTHIXENE has some pharmacological properties in common with the piperazine phenothiazines; mode of action has not been clearly established (Prod Info Navane(R), thiothixene, 1999).
    C) CHLORPROTHIXENE has a potent uricosuric effect (Healey et al, 1965). Some reports have suggested that chlorprothixene has direct nephrotoxic activity (Morgan & Baltch, 1969; Tuomi & Jokinen, 1969). Others attribute its ability to cause renal insufficiency to ischemia following hypotensive episodes of shock following overdose (Rossen & Steiness, 1981).

General Bibliography

    1) AMA Department of DrugsAMA Department of Drugs: AMA Evaluations Subscription, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL, 1992.
    2) Alaspaa AO, Kuisma MJ, Hoppu K, et al: Out-of-hospital administration of activated charcoal by emergency medical services. Ann Emerg Med 2005; 45:207-12.
    3) American Heart Association: 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2005; 112(24 Suppl):IV 1-203. Available from URL: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/vol112/24_suppl/. As accessed 12/14/2005.
    4) Anderson P: Drugs and breast feeding - a review. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1977; 11:208-223.
    5) Ayd FJ: Excretion of psychotropic drugs in human breast milk. Int Drug Ther Newsletter 1973; 8:33.
    6) Balant-Gorgia AE & Balant L: Antipsychotic drugs: clinical pharmacokinetics of potential candidates for plasma concentration monitoring. Clin Pharmacokinet 1987; 13:65-90.
    7) Barnes TRE & Wiles DH: Variation in oro-facial tardive dyskinesia during depot antipsychotic drug treatment. Psychopharmacology 1983; 81:359-362.
    8) Benowitz NL, Rosenberg J, & Becker CE: Cardiopulmonary catastrophes in drug-overdosed patients. Med Clin N Am 1979; 63:267-296.
    9) Bhugra DK & Low NC: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Br J Clin Pract 1986; 40:445-446.
    10) Briggs GG, Freeman RK, & Yaffe SJ: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation, 5th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, 1998.
    11) Brophy GM, Bell R, Claassen J, et al: Guidelines for the evaluation and management of status epilepticus. Neurocrit Care 2012; 17(1):3-23.
    12) Brown CV, Rhee P, Chan L, et al: Preventing renal failure in patients with rhabdomyolysis: do bicarbonate and mannitol make a difference?. J Trauma 2004; 56(6):1191-1196.
    13) Burgess KR, Jefferis RW, & Stevenson IR: Fatal thioridazine cardiotoxicity. Med J Aust 1979; 2:177-178.
    14) Camp NE: Drug- and toxin-induced Rhabdomyolysis. J Emerg Nurs 2009; 35(5):481-482.
    15) Chamberlain JM, Altieri MA, & Futterman C: A prospective, randomized study comparing intramuscular midazolam with intravenous diazepam for the treatment of seizures in children. Ped Emerg Care 1997; 13:92-94.
    16) Charlton NP , Lawrence DT , Brady WJ , et al: Termination of drug-induced torsades de pointes with overdrive pacing. Am J Emerg Med 2010; 28(1):95-102.
    17) Chin RF , Neville BG , Peckham C , et al: Treatment of community-onset, childhood convulsive status epilepticus: a prospective, population-based study. Lancet Neurol 2008; 7(8):696-703.
    18) Choonara IA & Rane A: Therapeutic drug monitoring of anticonvulsants state of the art. Clin Pharmacokinet 1990; 18:318-328.
    19) Chowdhury MEH & Chacon C: Depot fluphenazine and flupenthixol in the treatment of stabilized schizophrenics: a double-blind comparative trial. Compr Psychiatry 1980; 21:135-139.
    20) Christensen H: Chlorprothixene and its metabolites in blood, liver, and urine from fatal poisoning. Acta Pharmacol et Toxicol 1974; 34:16-26.
    21) Chyka PA, Seger D, Krenzelok EP, et al: Position paper: Single-dose activated charcoal. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2005; 43(2):61-87.
    22) Criddle LM: Rhabdomyolysis. Pathophysiology, recognition, and management. Crit Care Nurse 2003; 23(6):14-22, 24-26, 28.
    23) Dagnone D, Matsui D, & Rieder MJ: Assessment of the palatability of vehicles for activated charcoal in pediatric volunteers. Pediatr Emerg Care 2002; 18:19-21.
    24) Dick DJ & Saunders M: Persistent involuntary movements after treatment with flupenthixol. Br Med J 1981; 282:1756.
    25) Drew BJ, Ackerman MJ, Funk M, et al: Prevention of torsade de pointes in hospital settings: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation. J Am Coll Cardiol 2010; 55(9):934-947.
    26) Elliot CG, Colby TV, & Kelly TM: Charcoal lung. Bronchiolitis obliterans after aspiration of activated charcoal. Chest 1989; 96:672-674.
    27) Erdman AR & Dart RC: Rhabdomyolysis. In: Dart RC, Caravati EM, McGuigan MA, et al, eds. Medical Toxicology, 3rd ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2004, pp 123-127.
    28) FDA: Poison treatment drug product for over-the-counter human use; tentative final monograph. FDA: Fed Register 1985; 50:2244-2262.
    29) Fowler NO, McCall D, & Chou T-C: Electrocardiographic changes and cardiac arrhythmias in patients receiving psychotropic drugs. Am J Cardiol 1976; 37:223-230.
    30) Freyne A & McCarthy A: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Irish J Med Science 1988; 157:321-323.
    31) Gawin FH, Allen D, & Humblestone B: Outpatient treatment of "crack" cocaine smoking with flupenthixol decanoate. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1989; 46:322-325.
    32) Gerrand CH, Reddy MR, & Waldram MA: A complication of self-poisoning. Postgrad Med J 1997; 73:113-114.
    33) Gibson AC: Incidence of tardive dyskinesia in patients receiving depot neuroleptic injection. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1979; 63(Suppl 291):111-114.
    34) Golej J, Boigner H, Burda G, et al: Severe respiratory failure following charcoal application in a toddler. Resuscitation 2001; 49:315-318.
    35) Graff GR, Stark J, & Berkenbosch JW: Chronic lung disease after activated charcoal aspiration. Pediatrics 2002; 109:959-961.
    36) Guenther Skokan E, Junkins EP, & Corneli HM: Taste test: children rate flavoring agents used with activated charcoal. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2001; 155:683-686.
    37) Harris CR & Filandrinos D: Accidental administration of activated charcoal into the lung: aspiration by proxy. Ann Emerg Med 1993; 22:1470-1473.
    38) Healey LA, Harrison M, & Decker JL: Uricosuric effects of chlorprothixene. N Engl J Med 1965; 272:526.
    39) Hegenbarth MA & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs: Preparing for pediatric emergencies: drugs to consider. Pediatrics 2008; 121(2):433-443.
    40) Hirshberg B, Gural A, & Caraco Y: Zuclopenthixol-associated neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Ann Pharmacother 2000; 34:740-742.
    41) Homsi E, Barreiro MF, Orlando JM, et al: Prophylaxis of acute renal failure in patients with rhabdomyolysis. Ren Fail 1997; 19(2):283-288.
    42) Huerta-Alardin AL, Varon J, & Marik PE: Bench-to-bedside review: Rhabdomyolysis -- an overview for clinicians. Crit Care 2005; 9(2):158-169.
    43) Hvidberg EF & Dam M: Clinical pharmacokinetics of anticonvulsants. Clin Pharmacokinet 1976; 1:161.
    44) Jann MW, Ereshefsky L, & Saklad SR: Clinical pharmacokinetics of the depot antipsychotics. Clin Pharmacokinet 1985; 10:315-333.
    45) Jorgensen A, Andersen J, & Bjorndal N: Serum concentrations of cis(z)-flupentixol and prolactin in chronic schizophrenic patients treated with flupentixol and cis(z)-flupentixol decanoate. Psychopharmacology 1982; 77:58-65.
    46) Jorgensen A: Pharmacokinetic studies in volunteers of intravenous and oral cis (z)-flupentixol and intramuscular cis (z)-flupentixol decanoate in Viscoleo(R). Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1980; 18:355-360.
    47) Keren A, Tzivoni D, & Gavish D: Etiology, warning signs and therapy of torsade de pointes: a study of 10 patients. Circulation 1981; 64:1167-1174.
    48) Khan IA & Gowda RM: Novel therapeutics for treatment of long-QT syndrome and torsade de pointes. Int J Cardiol 2004; 95(1):1-6.
    49) Kirk L & Jorgensen A: Concentrations of cis(z)-flupentixol in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord serum, and milk. Psychopharmacology 1980; 72:107-108.
    50) Kleinman ME, Chameides L, Schexnayder SM, et al: 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Part 14: pediatric advanced life support. Circulation 2010; 122(18 Suppl.3):S876-S908.
    51) Knight ME & Roberts RJ: Phenothiazine and butyrophenone intoxication in children. Pediatr Clin North Am 1986; 33:299-309.
    52) Kolakowska T, Williams AO, & Ardern M: Tardive dyskinesia and current dose of neuroleptic drugs (letter). Arch Gen Psychiatry 1985; 42:925.
    53) Kollroser M, Henning G, Gatternig R, et al: HPLC-ESI-MS/MS determination of zuclopenthixol in a fatal intoxication during psychiatric therapy. Forensic Sci Intern 2001; 123:243-247.
    54) Koppel C, Schirop T, & Ibe K: Hemoperfusion in severe chlorprothixene overdose. Intens Med Care 1987; 13:358-360.
    55) Leikin JB, Baron S, & Engle J: Treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with diphenhydramine (abstract). Vet Hum Toxicol 1987; 29:480.
    56) Link MS, Berkow LC, Kudenchuk PJ, et al: Part 7: Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support: 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2015; 132(18 Suppl 2):S444-S464.
    57) Loddenkemper T & Goodkin HP: Treatment of Pediatric Status Epilepticus. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2011; Epub:Epub.
    58) Manno EM: New management strategies in the treatment of status epilepticus. Mayo Clin Proc 2003; 78(4):508-518.
    59) Maragakis BP: A double-blind comparison of oral amitriptyline and low-dose intramuscular flupenthixol decanoate in depressive illness. Curr Med Res Opin 1990; 12:51-57.
    60) Matheson I & Skjaeraasen J: Milk concentrations of flupenthixol, nortriptyline and zuclopenthixol and between-breast differences in two patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1988; 35:217-220.
    61) Matheson I & Skjaeraasen J: Milk concentrations of flupenthixol, nortriptyline and zuclopenthixol and between-breast differences in two patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1988a; 35:217-220.
    62) May DC, Morris SW, & Stewart RM: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: response to dantrolene sodium. Ann Int Med 1983; 98:183-184.
    63) McCarthy A, Bourke S, & Fahy J: Fatal recurrence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Br J Psychiatry 1988; 152:558-559.
    64) Miller RD, Sohn YJ, & Matteo RS: Enhancement of d-tubocurarine neuromuscular blockade by diuretics in man. Anesthesiology 1976; 45:442-445.
    65) Morgan JP & Baltch AL: Acute oliguria from overdosage of chlorprothixene. State J Med 1969; 69:1340.
    66) Mueller PS, Vester JW, & Fermaglich J: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Successful treatment with bromocriptine. JAMA 1983; 249:386-8.
    67) Neumar RW , Otto CW , Link MS , et al: Part 8: adult advanced cardiovascular life support: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2010; 122(18 Suppl 3):S729-S767.
    68) None Listed: Position paper: cathartics. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2004; 42(3):243-253.
    69) O'Brien T: Excretion of drugs in human milk. Am J Hosp Pharm 1974; 31:844-854.
    70) Ovhed I: A double-blind study of flupenthixol ('Fluanxol') in general practice. Curr Med Res Opin 1976; 4:144-150.
    71) Parent M & Toussaint C: Flupenthixol versus haloperidol in acute psychosis. Pharmatherapeutica 1983; 3:354-364.
    72) Peberdy MA , Callaway CW , Neumar RW , et al: 2010 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science. Part 9: post–cardiac arrest care. Circulation 2010; 122(18 Suppl 3):S768-S786.
    73) Perticone F, Ceravolo R, & Cuccurullo O: Prolonged magnesium sulfate infusion in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in acquired long QT syndrome. Clin Drug Inverst 1997; 13:229-236.
    74) Plumb RL & Joseph SW: Ingestion of a toxic dose of chlorprothixene by a three-year-old: case report. J Pediatr 1964; 65:458.
    75) Polderman KH: Acute renal failure and rhabdomyolysis. Int J Artif Organs 2004; 27(12):1030-1033.
    76) Pollack MM, Dunbar BS, & Holbrook PR: Aspiration of activated charcoal and gastric contents. Ann Emerg Med 1981; 10:528-529.
    77) Product Information: Isuprel(TM) intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intracardiac injection, isoproterenol HCl intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intracardiac injection. Hospira, Inc. (per FDA), Lake Forest, IL, 2013.
    78) Product Information: Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution. Hospira (per manufacturer), Lake Forest, IL, 2006.
    79) Product Information: MANNITOL intravenous injection, mannitol intravenous injection. Hospira, Inc. (per DailyMed), Lake Forest, IL, 2009.
    80) Product Information: Mannitol intravenous injection, mannitol intravenous injection. American Regent, Inc. (per DailyMed), Shirley, NY, 2009.
    81) Product Information: NAVANE(R) capsules, concentrate, thiothixene capsules, thiothixene hydrochloride concentrate. Pfizer, New York, NY, 2004.
    82) Product Information: NAVANE(R) oral capsules, thiothixene oral capsules. Roerig, New York, NY, 2010.
    83) Product Information: Navane(R), thiothixene. Roehrig Division, Pfizer, Inc, New York, NY, 1999.
    84) Product Information: Taractan(R), chlorprothixene. Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ, 1994.
    85) Product Information: benztropine mesylate IV, IM injection, benztropine mesylate IV, IM injection. West-ward Pharmaceutical Corp, Eatontown, NJ, 2009.
    86) Product Information: diazepam IM, IV injection, diazepam IM, IV injection. Hospira, Inc (per Manufacturer), Lake Forest, IL, 2008.
    87) Product Information: diphenhydramine hcl injection, diphenhydramine hcl injection. Bioniche Pharma USA,LLC, Lake Forest, IL, 2006.
    88) Product Information: dopamine hcl, 5% dextrose IV injection, dopamine hcl, 5% dextrose IV injection. Hospira,Inc, Lake Forest, IL, 2004.
    89) Product Information: lorazepam IM, IV injection, lorazepam IM, IV injection. Akorn, Inc, Lake Forest, IL, 2008.
    90) Product Information: magnesium sulfate heptahydrate IV, IM injection, solution, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate IV, IM injection, solution. Hospira, Inc. (per DailyMed), Lake Forest, IL, 2009.
    91) Product Information: mannitol IV injection, urologic irrigation, mannitol IV injection, urologic irrigation. Abraxis Pharmaceutical Products, Schaumburg, IL, 2006.
    92) Product Information: norepinephrine bitartrate injection, norepinephrine bitartrate injection. Sicor Pharmaceuticals,Inc, Irvine, CA, 2005.
    93) Rau NR, Nagaraj MV, Prakash PS, et al: Fatal pulmonary aspiration of oral activated charcoal. Br Med J 1988; 297:918-919.
    94) Reynolds, JEF : Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia (electronic version). The Pharmaceutical Press. London, UK (Internet Version). Edition expires 2000; provided by Truven Health Analytics Inc., Greenwood Village, CO.
    95) Robertson MM & Trimble MR: The antidepressant action of flupenthixol. Practitioner 1981; 225:761-763.
    96) Rosa F & Baum C: Medicaid Surveillance of Drugs in Pregnancy and Birth Defects. Division of Drug Epidemiology and Surveillance, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20857, 1995.
    97) Rosenberg MR & Green M: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: review of response to therapy. Arch Intern Med 1989; 149:1927-1931.
    98) Rossen B & Steiness I: The pathophysiology of acute renal failure after chlorprothixene overdosage. Acta Med Scand 1981; 209:525-527.
    99) Sakkas P, Davis JM, & Janicak PG: Drug treatment of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Psychopharmacol Bull 1991; 27:381-384.
    100) Scheithauer W, Ulrich W, & Kovarik J: Acute oliguria associated with chlorprothixene overdosage. Nephron 1988; 48:71-73.
    101) Schneider SM: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: controversies in treatment. Am J Emerg Med 1991; 9:360-362.
    102) Scott R, Besag FMC, & Neville BGR: Buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam for treatment of prolonged seizures in childhood and adolescence: a randomized trial. Lancet 1999; 353:623-626.
    103) Smith WM & Gallagher JJ: "Les torsades de pointes": an unusual ventricular arrhythmia. Ann Intern Med 1980; 93:578-584.
    104) Spiller HA & Rogers GC: Evaluation of administration of activated charcoal in the home. Pediatrics 2002; 108:E100.
    105) Sreenath TG, Gupta P, Sharma KK, et al: Lorazepam versus diazepam-phenytoin combination in the treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in children: A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2009; Epub:Epub.
    106) Thakore S & Murphy N: The potential role of prehospital administration of activated charcoal. Emerg Med J 2002; 19:63-65.
    107) Tri TB & Combs DT: Phenothiazine induced ventricular tachycardia. West J Med 1975; 123:412-6.
    108) Tune LE, McHugh PR, & Coyle JT: Management of extrapyramidal side effects induced by neuroleptics. Johns Hopkins Med J 1981; 148:149-153.
    109) Tuomi E & Jokinen AL: Suicidalforsok med stor dos av klorprotixen. Nord Psykiatr Tidsskr 1969; 23:501.
    110) Turbott J & Smeeton WMI: Sudden death and flupenthixol decanoate. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1984; 18:91-94.
    111) Vanden Hoek TL, Morrison LJ, Shuster M, et al: Part 12: cardiac arrest in special situations: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2010; 122(18 Suppl 3):S829-S861.
    112) Vanholder R, Sever MS, Erek E, et al: Rhabdomyolysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2000; 11(8):1553-1561.
    113) Walter LA & Catenacci MH: Rhabdomyolysis. Hosp Physician 2008; 44(1):25-31.
    114) Zimmerman JL & Shen MC: Rhabdomyolysis. Chest 2013; 144(3):1058-1065.
    115) de Caen AR, Berg MD, Chameides L, et al: Part 12: Pediatric Advanced Life Support: 2015 American Heart Association Guidelines Update for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 2015; 132(18 Suppl 2):S526-S542.