Final answer:
For an antipsychotic overdose, drugs like benztropine or diphenhydramine are used as antidotes. These anticholinergic agents can help mitigate the overdose effects by counteracting the cholinergic overactivity. Immediate medical attention is critical, as the healthcare team needs to provide supportive care and monitor the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient has overdosed on antipsychotics, the antidote drug of choice is often benztropine (Cogentin) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). These medications can help counteract the effects of antipsychotic overdose, which may include severe muscle stiffness or symptoms of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). However, the specific treatment would depend on the type of antipsychotic overdosed and the severity of symptoms. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for any overdose. The healthcare team will evaluate the patient's symptoms and may also provide supportive care, including intravenous fluids, and monitor the patient's vital signs and electrocardiogram (ECG).
Treating an antipsychotic overdose typically involves the use of anticholinergic agents, as these can help to reverse the overactivity of the central cholinergic receptors that might be affected by the overdose. Since antipsychotics like risperidone can block dopamine receptors, leading to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, the anticholinergics can help restore this balance by inhibiting the parasympathetic effects and reducing the symptoms.