Can you overdose on cyclizine

No signs of edema were seen in other organs, and no further findings were made at autopsy. The postmortem blood sample was screened for a selection of benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics, opioids, psychostimulants and THC by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry UPLC—MS-MS 5 , and also for medicinal drugs including antidepressants, antipsychotics, analgesics and antiepileptics with LC—MS high pressure liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry 6.

Urine samples were screened by an immunological method using a Hitachi Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany for a standard selection of drugs of abuse amphetamines, cannabis, benzodiazepines, cocaine and opiates.

GC—MS screening revealed presence of cyclizine in the sample. Stock solutions of cyclizine and meclozine were prepared in methanol and working standard solutions 0. Quality control QC samples were prepared independently at two concentration levels 0. The sample was diluted times with blank blood bank blood before analysis of cyclizine.

The samples were immediately agitated for 1 min and thereafter put in a deep freezer for a minimum of 10 min. The mobile phases consisted of A: 10 mM ammonia formate buffer, pH 3. A Waters Quattro Premier XE tandem mass spectrometer, equipped with a Z-spray electrospray interface, was used for all analyses.

Positive ionization was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, with one transition for cyclizine Quantification was performed with TargetLynx using MassLynx 4. The retentions times were 3. A five-point calibration curve was used for cyclizine quantification, and a three-point calibration curve for meclozine.

They were linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0. The blank blood sample had no interfering signals. The initial screening of femoral blood and urine for a number of selected alcohols, drugs of abuse and medicinal drugs only revealed the presence of ethanol in a concentration of 0. The ingestion of ethanol was confirmed by the presence of the metabolites ethyl glucuronide 1.

No other illicit or medicinal drugs include in the screening program were found. Further screening of the stomach contents did however revealed the presence of cyclizine and meclozine, which lead to the quantification of these drugs in femoral blood. We report on a case of suicide where cyclizine was found to be the principal drug. Cyclizine is viewed as having low risk of adverse outcome, with few reports of adverse but non-lethal outcomes after ingestion of large amounts of the drug 10 , Also very few reports of lethal intoxications exists 2—4 , and some cases it is the combination of cyclizine and dipipanone strong opioid analgesic that is thought to be the cause of death 12 , Cyclizine is antihistamine which also exerts a central anticholinergic effect.

The mechanism for its antiemetic effect is however not well understood. Cyclizine is used as an antiemetic in many countries, it is regarded as well tolerated and most often sold as an over-the-counter drug, even though few studies exist.

As mentioned, however, a few reports exists as to the use of cyclizine as a drug of abuse known to produce strong psychoactive effects 10 , 14 , 15 , and two previous reports have found the drug to be involved in suicide 3 , 4. A few studies have reported on cyclizine abuse among teenagers 14 due to its anticholinergic properties with the possibility of inducing hallucinations.

Also cyclizine abuse has been reported among opioid dependents receiving methadone 15 , with the combination having been reported to produce strong psychoactive effects with intense stimulation and often hallucinations. The adverse effects can include drowsiness, tachycardia and hypertension, and overdosage can cause central nervous system depression, euphoria, convulsions, coma and death 9. In the case presented cyclizine was found in a concentration far above the therapeutic concentration range, in a concentration that compared with the literature is considered to be within the lethal level.

Little is known as to the possibility of postmortem redistribution of cyclizine; however, some postmortem redistribution may be expected due to large lipid solubility and high volume of distribution of the drug.

As cyclizine is regarded as a fairly safe drug regarding intoxications, it is not included in the targeted LC—MS-MS screening approach currently in use at our institute for postmortem cases, and therefore only looked for if suspected.

It should be mentioned that without the suspicion that the victim had committed suicide by ingestion of specific drugs such as meclozine, the findings of empty packages for tablets and plastic bags containing drugs at the scene, and without screening of stomach contents, the cause of death might not have been determined in this case.

This is one of the major problems using a targeted screening approach versus a more comprehensive screening approach.

If you buy any medicines 'over the counter', always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines. This medicine is for you.

Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. Dated June I'm a 28 year old female living in the UK.

I had an emergency c-section almost 10 weeks ago and 5 days later noticed a feeling as though somebody was pushing me backwards whilst sat on the edge of Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.

Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. Cyclizine helps to reduce sickness nausea and dizziness.

It can be taken by adults and by children over 6 years of age. The most common side-effects are a dry mouth and feeling drowsy. In this article About cyclizine Before taking cyclizine How to take cyclizine Getting the most from your treatment Can cyclizine cause problems? Cyclizine is an antihistamine with sedative effect used to treat motion sickness. A few studies have reported on cyclizine abuse among teenagers, and cyclizine abuse has been reported among opioid dependants receiving methadone, with the combination having been reported to produce strong psychoactive effects.

Very few cases of fatalities resulting from cyclizine overdose can be found in the literature.