Some patients are more sensitive to these effects than others. Endocrine abnormalities that have been described include a hypothyroid effect, hypoglycemia, and increasing ACTH and prolactin levels. Treatment Of Poisoning Ipecac would not be used in a thalidomide overdose because its only potentially serious acute toxicity in a non-pregnant acute ingestion is sedation. If, however, a pregnant woman in her first trimester of pregnancy ingested thalidomide within one hour, the risks of ipecac probably do not outweigh the benefit of its administration. Gastric lavage is indicated within one-hour post ingestion to retrieve any pill fragments that might be left in the stomach as long as the patient s airway is protected.
Treatment is otherwise symptomatic and supportive.
Seizures can be controlled by the usual medications such as a benzodiazepine. Hypotension can be treated with IV fluid boluses, dopamine, or if necessary, norepinephrine. Thalidomide therapy should be discontinued if pearaesthesias or pallor of extremities, ataxia, or nocturnal muscle cramps occur. If a pregnant woman ingests any amount of thalidomide, counseling would be indicated because of the high risk of teratogenicity associated in the first trimester.