Tricyclic Antidepressant Toxicosis

Abstract

Accidental ingestions of TCAs by companion animals often occur. During the past 4 years, over 450 cases have been reported to the IAPIC. At least 7% of the animals that displayed clinical signs of toxicosis eventually died. Overdoses of TCAs adversely affect the cardiovascular, parasympathetic, and central nervous systems. The cardiovascular system is involved most seriously and ventricular arrhythmias with severe hypotension are believed to be the primary cause of death. Animals that ingest a potentially lethal dose (over 15 mg/kg) may die within 1 to 2 hours if appropriate treatment is not administered. Treatment involves the use of initial life-supportive measures (control of seizures, maintenance of an airway, ventilation, and so on), detoxification of the animal (enterogastric lavage, activated charcoal, etc.), and the intravenous use of sodium bicarbonate (2-3 mEq/kg) to control signs of acidosis, hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia, and other cardiac conduction abnormalities. The animal must then be monitored closely for the return of the clinical signs and sodium bicarbonate therapy should be repeated as needed. In addition, to enhance removal of the TCAs from the gastrointestinal tract and, ultimately, from the body, activated charcoal should be repeated at 3-hour intervals until the animal is asymptomatic.