HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can Overdose Of Alzheimer Medication Be Fatal?

default
Posted on Wed, 25 Apr 2012
Question: my father has alzheimers. He takes 10 mg of norvasc a day. today we caught him trying to take 10 at one time. Is norvasc a drug he could overdose on and die/
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (27 minutes later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

Norvasc is amlodipine which belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Norvasc relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow. Thus it is used in hypertension and chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease.

Over dosage of this drug is possible and is often XXXXXXX

Overdose may cause excessive peripheral vasodilation with marked hypotension (low BP) and possibly a reflex tachycardia (increased heart rate).

As per the animal studies, single oral doses of amlodipine equivalent to 40 mg amlodipine/kg and 100 mg amlodipine/kg in mice and rats, caused deaths.

It is good that you caught him in time and prevented any worse outcome.

If repeat happens then initiate active cardiac and respiratory monitoring.

Frequent blood pressure measurements should be done and if there is lowering of BP then cardiovascular support is required.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.






Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Radhika
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Jasvinder Singh

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1578 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can Overdose Of Alzheimer Medication Be Fatal?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

Norvasc is amlodipine which belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Norvasc relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow. Thus it is used in hypertension and chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease.

Over dosage of this drug is possible and is often XXXXXXX

Overdose may cause excessive peripheral vasodilation with marked hypotension (low BP) and possibly a reflex tachycardia (increased heart rate).

As per the animal studies, single oral doses of amlodipine equivalent to 40 mg amlodipine/kg and 100 mg amlodipine/kg in mice and rats, caused deaths.

It is good that you caught him in time and prevented any worse outcome.

If repeat happens then initiate active cardiac and respiratory monitoring.

Frequent blood pressure measurements should be done and if there is lowering of BP then cardiovascular support is required.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.