Chlordiazepoxide overdose

Definition

Chlordiazepoxide is a prescription medicine used to treat certain anxiety disorders and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Chlordiazepoxide overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Alternative Names

Librium overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Chlordiazepoxide can be poisonous in high amounts.

Where Found

Chlordiazepoxide is found in medicines with these names:

  • Librax
  • Librium

Other medicines may also contain chlordiazepoxide.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of a chlordiazepoxide overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shallow breathing

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

  • Difficulty urinating

EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROAT

  • Double vision or blurred vision
  • Rapid side-to-side movement of the eyes (nystagmus)

HEART AND BLOOD

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat

NERVOUS SYSTEM

SKIN

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

  • The person's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the medicine, and strength, if known
  • When it was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed
  • If the medicine was prescribed for the person

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

Tests may include:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Treatment that may be done may include:

  • Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Fluids through a vein (IV)
  • Laxative
  • Medicines to reverse the effects of the drug and treat symptoms

Outlook (Prognosis)

With proper care, full recovery is likely. But people with aplastic anemia (suppression of red blood cell production by the bone marrow), those who develop breathing problems or seizures and subsequent complications, or those who overdose on multiple different substances may not recover fully.

References

Aronson JK. Benzodiazepines. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:863-877.

Overbeek DL, Erickson TB. Sedative-hypnotics. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 154.

Review Date: 7/1/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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