PCP overdose; Angel dust overdose; Sernyl overdose

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

The patient may be sedated and placed in restraints to avoid hurting himself or herself.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

The outcome depends on several factors including:

• The amount of PCP in the body
• The time between taking the drug and receiving treatment

Recovery from the psychotic state may take several weeks in a quiet, darkened room. Long-term effects may include kidney failure and seizures.

Review Date: 09/30/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)