Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Tricyclics--the most common agent used in potentially lethal overdoses.

R G Kathol, F A Henn

    The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
    |April 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Preparation of glial plasma membrane from a cell fraction enriched in astrocytes.

    Neurochemical research·2013
    Same author

    Reduced expression of glutamate transporters vGluT1, EAAT2 and EAAT4 in learned helpless rats, an animal model of depression.

    Neuropharmacology·2009
    Same author

    Reduced expression of GABA transporter GAT3 in helpless rats, an animal model of depression.

    Neurochemical research·2009
    Same author

    Behavioural alterations in rats following neonatal hypoxia and effects of clozapine: implications for schizophrenia.

    Pharmacopsychiatry·2008
    Same author

    ECT anesthesia: the lighter the better?

    Pharmacopsychiatry·2006
    Same author

    Altered NMDA receptor expression and behavior following postnatal hypoxia: potential relevance to schizophrenia.

    Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)·2006
    Same journal

    Efficacy and Safety of Aripiprazole in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.

    The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2026
    Same journal

    Metacognitive Interpersonal Group Therapy for Adolescents With Personality Disorders: Results From the METAMIND-A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

    The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2026
    Same journal

    Activation Syndrome in Patients Diagnosed With Major Depressive Disorder for the First Time: The Role of Past Hypomania Symptoms and Atypical Depression as Risk Factors.

    The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2026
    Same journal

    Predicting Social Motivation and Interactions in Schizophrenia: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.

    The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2026
    Same journal

    Use of EQUATOR Network Templates in JNMD: The STROBE Guideline for Observational Studies.

    The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2026
    Same journal

    Mental Illness Attributions and Their Association With Psychotherapy Change Process Expectations.

    The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2026
    See all related articles

    Tricyclic antidepressant overdoses are common in serious adult cases, surpassing barbiturates. This highlights the significant risk posed by these widely used medications.

    Area of Science:

    • Toxicology
    • Pharmacology
    • Emergency Medicine

    Background:

    • Drug overdose admissions to medical intensive care units (MICUs) represent a significant public health concern.
    • Understanding the specific agents involved and patient demographics is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the types of drugs involved in serious adult overdoses requiring MICU admission.
    • To investigate the characteristics of patients experiencing unintentional versus intentional overdoses.
    • To assess the role of psychiatric disorders and manipulative intent in overdose cases.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective study of 53 cases of drug overdose requiring MICU admission.
    • Data collection on drug types, patient demographics, overdose intent, psychiatric history, and medical severity.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Main Results:

    • Tricyclic antidepressants were implicated in nearly 50% of serious adult overdoses, while barbiturates were involved in only 20%.
    • Unintentional overdoses were more common in substance abusers.
    • Intentional overdoses presented across a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, with a quarter of cases having no apparent psychiatric disease.
    • Patients exhibiting manipulative intent were as likely to have medically serious attempts as those without.

    Conclusions:

    • The widespread use of tricyclic antidepressants contributes to their high prevalence in serious overdose cases.
    • Overdose etiologies vary, with substance abuse linked to unintentional ingestions and diverse psychiatric conditions associated with intentional overdoses.
    • The presence or absence of psychiatric disease or manipulative intent does not reliably predict the medical seriousness of an overdose attempt.