Sign Out
Symptoms: Initially irritability, rapid respiration, agitation, euphoria, restlessness, hyperreflexia, disorientation and tremor, aggressiveness, hallucinations and panic states may occur, followed by cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, fatigue, central nervous system depression and coma. Cardiovascular consequences include hypertension, hypotension and circulatory collapse. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
Treatment: The treatment is largely symptomatic. The stomach should be emptied by gastric lavage and washed out with water if the preparation has been ingested within the last three or four hours. Gastric lavage, followed by activated charcoal, may be the optimal decontamination regimen for patients exhibiting CNS depression. Diazepam, preferably by mouth (cautiously by intravenous injection) can be used to control marked excitement and convulsions. Provided renal function is adequate, elimination of phentermine has been shown to be assisted by acidification of the urine. There is insufficient experience to recommend haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
