Health Encyclopedia

Fenoprofen calcium overdose

Definition

Fenoprofen calcium is a type of medicine called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Fenoprofen calcium overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Alternative Names

Nalfon overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Fenoprofen, a prescription painkiller commonly used to relieve symptoms of arthritis

Where Found

Fenoprofen
Nalfon
Naprofen
Progesic

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Airways and lungs
- Breathing - slow and labored
- Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
Gastrointestinal system
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
Heart and blood
- Increased heart rate
Nervous system
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Drowsiness
- Incoherence (not understandable)
- Movement problems
- Unsteadiness
- Seizures
- Severe headache
Skin
- Rash

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Laxative
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

Fenoprofen overdose is pretty rare. In most cases, the outlook is well, with nausea and vomiting being the most common symptoms. However, death has been reported, and large amounts can cause serious damage to both children and adults.

Review Date:1/20/2008
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

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