Intoxication with psychotropic drugs

Psychotropic drugs are medications that are indicated for treatment of psychiatric disorders. Attempted suicide is the major reason for intoxication but inadvertent overdosing may also occur. Other psychotropic agents are taken because of their stimulating and hallucinogenic effects and many have a high addictive potential. Poisoning is usually due to accidental overdosing. For treatment of benzodiazepine and opioid intoxication, flumazenil and naloxone, respectively, are used as specific antagonists. For intoxication by tricyclic antidepressants, sodium bicarbonate is the treatment of choice. It can also be administered for poisoning caused by selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and neuroleptics, in cases of cardiotoxicity. Torsades de pointes can be terminated with defibrillation and intravenous magnesium. Symptomatic treatment is performed for intoxications caused by analeptics or hallucinogens. Beta blockers must be avoided in cocaine and amphetamine poisoning.