OVERDOSE
Signs and Symptoms
Overdosage with AKINETON (biperiden) produces typical central symptoms of atropine intoxication (the central anticholinergic syndrome). Correct diagnosis depends upon recognition of the peripheral signs of parasympathetic blockade including dilated and sluggish pupils; warm, dry skin; facial flushing;decreased secretions of the mouth, pharynx, nose, and bronchi; foul-smelling breath; elevated temperature, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased bowel sounds, and urinary retention. Neuropsychiatric signs such as delirium, disorientation, anxiety, hallucinations, illusions, confusion, incoherence, agitation, hyperactivity, ataxia, loss of memory, paranoia, combativeness, and seizures may be present. The condition can progress to stupor, coma, paralysis, and cardiac and respiratory arrest and death.
Treatment
Treatment of acute overdose revolves around symptomatic and supportive therapy.
If AKINETON (biperiden) was administered orally, gastric lavage or other measures to limit
absorption should be instituted. A small dose of diazepam or a short acting
barbiturate may be administered if CNS excitation is observed. Phenothiazines
are contraindicated because the toxicity may be intensified due to their antimuscarinic
action, causing coma. Respiratory support, artificial respiration or vasopressor
agents may be necessary. Hyperpyrexia must be reversed, fluid volume replaced
and acid-base balance maintained. Urinary catheterization may be necessary.
Routine use of physostigmine for overdose is controversial. Delirium, hallucinations, coma, and supraventricular tachycardia (not ventricular tachycardias or conduction defects) seem to respond. If indicated, 1 mg (half this amount for the children or elderly) may be given intramuscularly or by slow intravenous infusion. If there is no response within 20 minutes, and additional 1 mg dose may be given; this may be repeated until a total of 4 mg has been administered, a reversal of the toxic effects occur or excessive cholinergic signs are seen. Frequent monitoring of clinical signs should be done. Since physostigmine is rapidly destroyed, additional injections may be required every one or two hours to maintain control. The relapse intervals tend to lengthen as the toxic anticholinergic agent is metabolized, so the patient should be carefully observed for 8 to 12 hours following the last relapse.
Toxicity in Animals
The LD50 of biperiden in the white mouse is 545 mg/kg orally, 195 mg/kg subcutaneously, and 56 mg/kg intravenously. The acute oral toxicity (LD50) in rats is 750 mg/kg. The intraperitoneal toxicity (LD50) of biperiden lactate in rats was 270 mg/kg and the intravenous toxicity (LD50) in dogs was 222 mg/kg. In dogs under general anesthesia, respiratory arrest occurred at 33 mg/kg (intravenous) and circulatory standstill at 45 mg/kg (intravenous). The oral LD50in dogs is 340 mg/kg. Chronic toxicity studies in both rat and dog have been reported.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
1) Hypersensitivity to biperiden 2) Narrow angle glaucoma 3) Bowel obstruction 4) Megacolon