[A 48-year-old woman's survival from a massive verapamil overdose]

Author(s): Johansen KK, Belhage B

Affiliation(s): Bispebjerg Hospital, Anaestesiologisk Afdeling Z. karinakjohansen@hotmail.com

Publication date & source: 2007-11-19, Ugeskr Laeger., 169(47):4074-5.

Publication type: Case Reports; English Abstract

We present a case report of survival from a massive verapamil overdose. The patient, a 48-year-old female, was admitted 12 hours after suicidal ingestion of 10.08 grams of Isoptin Retard, a sustained release calcium channel blocker. On admittance, the patient had altered mental status, was hypotensive, and ECG showed bradycardia with nodal rhythm. The patient was treated with activated charcoal, colloids, crystalloids, norepinephrine, isoprenalin and epinephrine infusion, high dose glucose-insulin infusion and calcium. The patient was discharged for rehabilitation after two weeks.