Overdose on calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and beta-blockers, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems, can lead to severe and complex consequences. These drugs slow down the heart rate and relax blood vessels, but an overdose exaggerates these effects, causing a cascade of critical issues. Refractory shock, a life-threatening condition where the body’s circulatory system fails to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood, can be triggered by a CCB/beta-blocker overdose, causing dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension) that doesn’t respond to standard treatments. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) can also trigger, with vulnerable organs like the kidneys, lungs, liver, and brain being affected. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is often the first organ affected in MODS, where kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood. Type 1 respiratory failure can also occur, with the lungs being severely affected, leading to dangerously low oxygen levels that often require mechanical ventilation.
Refractory shock, MODS, AKI, and type 1 respiratory failure are critical medical emergencies requiring intensive care and aggressive treatment. This may include high doses of specific antidotes, supportive medications, and advanced life support measures like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in severe cases.
Mrs. Geetha Karkale. G from Bidar successfully received treatment for Refractory Shock & MODS due to BP Medicine Overdose at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, under the supervision of Dr. Venkat Raman Kola, Clinical Director & Team.