Contac overdose: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Contac is the brand name for a cough, cold, and allergy medicine. It contains several ingredients. Contac overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.
P This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

T Poisonous Ingredient
P These ingredients in Contac can be harmful in large amounts:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Chlorpheniramine
- Phenylpropanolamine
- Dextromethorphan hydrobromide
- Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
P Note: Not all of these ingredients are found in every form of Contac.

T Where Found
P Besides being in Contac, these ingredients are also found in some over-the-counter herbal products advertised to help with weight loss and athletic performance.

T Symptoms
P Symptoms of a Contac overdose include:
- Blurred vision
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Delirium
- Disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Enlarged pupils
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder
- Increased blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Muscle pain and spasms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nervousness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Tremor
- Unsteadiness
- Yellow eyes

T Before Calling Emergency
P Have this information ready:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
- If the medicine was prescribed for the person

T Poison Control
P Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
P 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.

T What to Expect at the Emergency Room
P Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
P The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.
P The person may receive:
- Activated charcoal
- Blood and urine tests (including acetaminophen level)
- Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth and into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator)
- EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
- Fluids through a vein (by IV)
- Laxative
- Medicine to treat symptoms
- Tube through the nose into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P This type of overdose tends to be mild. However, if the person swallowed enough of the product, serious complications (such as liver damage) can occur. This is from the acetaminophen in the product. How well a person does depends on how much was taken and how soon they receive medical treatment. Death can occur.

T References
P Hendrickson RG, McKeown NJ. Acetaminophen. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 148.
P Murphy NG, Benowitz NL, Goldschlager N. Cardiovascular toxicology. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007:chap 8.
P Velez LI, Feng S-Y. Anticholinergics. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 150.

T Review Date 10/13/2015
P Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

