Common poisoning

Paracetamol poisoning Paracetamol in overdosage can cause severe cenrilobular hepatic necrosis. The toxic dose is 10 – 15 gm, while fatal fulminant hepatic failure is usually associated with ingestion of 25 gm. Paracetamol is metabolized to a toxic reactive metabolite. However, this metabolite is detoxified by binding to glutathione. When the level of glutathione depletes, toxicity is expected. Symptoms of toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and right upper abdominal pain.

Management of paracetamol poisoning If the patient presents within 1 hour, activated charcoal is administered. Antidote administration is guided by the results of paracetamol serum level, plotted against time The antidote works by providing glutathione to detoxify paracetamol toxic metabolite.

Management of paracetamol poisoning The serum level of paracetamol should be taken 4 hours after ingestion. If the patient presents after 8 hours, the antidote should be started before the result of the serum level is available, because its efficacy diminishes after 10 h of ingestion. For patients who present after 15 h, antidote therapy is started, liver function tests and prothrombin time is asked, and liver transplantation center is consulted.

Management of paracetamol poisoning The antidote of choice is N. acetylcysteine which is highly protective if given in the first 10 hours. The dose is: 150mg/kg in 200 ml N.S. /15min. 50mg/kg in 500 ml N.S. /4h. 100mg/kg in 1 litre N.S. /20 h. Alternatively, methionine 12 gm is given orally every 4 hours, to be repeated 4 times.

Aspirin (salicylate) poisoning Aspirin is toxic when ingested at doses greater than 150 mg/kg. Nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and deafness are the initial manifestations. Direct stimulation of the respiratory tract causes hyperventilation (central hyperventilation). Moderately severe poisoning is associated with peripheral vasodilatation, profuse sweating, petechiae, and subcojunctival haemorrhage. Serious poisoning is associated with metabolic acidosis, renal failure, CNS depression (agitation, confusion, coma, and fits). Cerebral and pulmonary oedema may develop

Management of aspirin poisoning Activated charcoal is used in multiple doses for adsorption of the ingested drug. Metabolic acidosis is treated with 8.4% NaHCO3. IV normal saline is required to control severe dehydration (from sweating and vomiting). Fluids should be given with caution to avoid precipitating pulmonary oedema. In severe poisoning, urinary alkalinization is needed; one litre of 1.26% NaHCO3 is infused over 3 hours, keeping urine pH around 7.6 – 8.5. Alkaline urine facilitates aspirin excretion. Haemodialysis is very effective in removing salicylate, and correcting acid base imbalance

Organophosphorus poisoning OPs are widely used as pesticides in agriculture, and as chemical warfare agents. There are 3 million cases worldwide each year around 300000 deaths. OP inactivate acetylcholine estase (AchE) enzyme by phosphorylation leading to accumulation of acetyl choline (Ach) at cholinergic synapses (muscarinic, nicotinic, and central).

Organophosphorus poisoning Muscarinic effects: miosis bradycardia (tachycardia in 20% of cases) bronchorhoea salivation lacrimation abdominal pain bronchoconstriction Nicotinic effects: muscle fasciculation hyperreflexia flaccid paralysis and hyporeflexia CNS effects: headache dizziness confusion coma fits respiratory depression

Management of OP poisoning Atropine (1.8 – 3 mg) is injected as a bolus immediately (3 -6 ampoules), repeated every 5 minutes until atropinization (clear lung, dry tongue, normal pulse rate, and dilated pupils). Once atropinization is complete, 20 – 30% of the bolus dose required is infused/ hour. Treatment should be continued for several days to avoid relapse. Atropine is a muscarinic receptor antagonist, effective in relieving the muscarinic effects of the toxins only. Oxime derivatives (pralidoxime and obidoxime) reactivate phosphorylated AchE, and can reverse the nicotinic effects of OP toxins. CNS effects are treated by diazepam for convulsions, oxygen and ventilatory support for respiratory failure

Delayed complications of OP poisoning After the acute cholinergic crisis is over, some patients develop an intermediate syndrome (around 48 hours later). Muscle weakness and respiratory paralysis develop due to downregulation of the nicotinic receptors due to accumulated Ach. Rarely, OP induced delayed polyneuropathy may occur 1 – 3 weeks after the initial exposure due to degeneration of long myelinated nerve fibers. The disability it causes may recover partially after 1- 2 years.

Digoxine poisoning Clinical features: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea visual symptoms confusion hyperkalaemia variable brady-, tachyarrhythmia.

Digoxine poisoning Treatment: Specific antidote (digoxine antibody Fab fragments) Continuous ECG monitoring Volume replacement in case of hypotension ( enotropics) Correction of hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia Atropine for bradyarrythmias Tachyarrythmias, accordingly

Tricyclic antidepressants poisoning Clinical features: hypotension and variable arrhythmias (negative enotropic effect and arrythmogenic) warm dry skin convulsions Treatment: volume replacement  vasopressor agent cotiuous ECG monitoring sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) 8.4%; in case of prolonged QRS complex or tachyarrhythmias  

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) These drugs are less cardiotoxic than TCAD. However, in large doses SSRIs can still cause hypotension and arrhythmias, as well as fever. The treatment of toxicity is similar to TCAD.  

Clinical manifestation Drug poisoning Drowsiness, disturbed consciousness, and coma. Cerebellar signs, fits Cardiovascular toxicity Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phynetoin) Arrhythmias, fits and coma Theophylline Epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting Convulsions (10 – 20%) NSAIDs Hypotension, drowsiness, and fits Phenthiazines Drowsiness, cardiac arrhythmias Antihistamines Vomiting, haematamesis, abdominal pain, fits Iron salts