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Common Poisonings (Toxidromes) - 1 - 1 - 1
Common Poisonings (Toxidromes) - 1 - 1 - 1
and Overdoses
Dr Ram Narayan
MD, FNB
Pesticides
Specifically
organophosphates and
carbamates.
Present with
cholinergic symptoms
Some of them used Medically
Neostigmine
Pyridostigmine
Edrophonium
Tacrine
Donepezil
Two Groups of Cholinergic Insecticides-
Carbamates-Aldicarb and Methomyl
Organophosphates-
Chlorpyriphos,Dursban, Diazinin, Malathion
and Parathion.
Organophosphorus (insecticides and
pesticides) Poisoning
Deliver 100 percent oxygen via facemask; early intubation often required;
avoid succinylcholine
Cathartic
utilized to speed transit time
Hemodialysis
Limited benefit
Damage occurs quickly
Hemoperfusion
No benefit
Peritoneal dialysis
No benefit
Blood Sample
4 hour post ingestion APAP
level
levels drawn earlier may be
erroneous
levels may be accurate out to 18
hours
Plot level on Rumack-Matthews
nomogram
500
Late
150
100 Not valid
50 after 24
hours
10
mcg/ml 4 8 12 16 20
Hours After Acetaminophen Ingestion
If APAP level plots above the possible risk
line administer N-acetylcysteine (NAC).
Route of administration
Orally
IV not approved in the U.S.
NAC dosing
INR > 3
Hypoglycemia
Thrombocytopenia.
Acute poisoning does not predispose for cirrhosis.
Acetominophen Summary
APAP is present in many poly drug overdoses
No symptoms may be present…screen
150 mcg/ml at 4 hours is a “treat” level Timely
administration of NAC may protect the patient from
hepatic damage. Therapy should be initiated as soon as
possible, but NAC is beneficial at any time.
o If APAP levels cannot be obtained, assume a toxic dose
has been ingested, initiate NAC, and continue until
regimen complete.
CO Poisoning
Displacement of O2 from Hb
BUT
Excretion of hydrogen will make it “nigh on to”
impossible to titrate your therapy to a urinary pH of 8.
folate
thiamine
Mg, B6
The Osmolar Gap
Treatment
Fomepizole or ethanol – both inhibit alcohol
dehydrogenase.
Cofactors
Pyridoxime
Folate
Magnesium
Thiamine
Fomepizole Dosing
Loading dose
15 mg / Kg
Next 4 doses
10 mg / Kg
Subsequent doses
15 mg / Kg
10 hours
SYMPTOMS
RS – breathlessness, cough
CNS – convulsions, coma
GPE – fever, restlessness, cyanosis
GI – vomiting, diarrhea
Lab
Blood –Investigations
Leukocytosis
X – Ray changes
Changes appear within one hour
- commonly right basal infiltrates
- emphysema
- pleural effusion
- pneumatocoeles
Severity score
PARAMETERS ABSENT PRESENT OTHERS
FEVER 0 1 0
SEVERE 0 1 0
MALNUTRITION
RESP. DISTRESS 0 2 4
CNS SYMPTOMS 0 2 4
• >4 – Significant
• <7 – Likely to survive
• >8 –– Risk of death is increased
Management
Avoid emetics
Avoid gastric lavage – In case of massive amount use a
cuffed endotracheal tube
After lavage leave magnesium or sodium sulphate in the
stomach
Oxygen may be useful
Assisted Ventilation
Antibiotics - Penicillin G 50000/Kg/24 hrs IV qid
Kanamycin – 10-15mg/Kg/24 hrs - IM bd
Steroids – Not helpful
Complications
• Pneumothorax
• Pneumatocoeles
• Pleural effusion
• Bronchopneumonia
• Coma
Pralidoxime (PAM) is given in dose of 25-50
mg/kg IM or IV over 30 min infusion. The dose
may be repeated in 1-2 hours, then at 6-12 hour
intervals as needed. Monitor for hypertension.
Never inject morphine, theophylline,
aminophylline or chlorpromazine.
Intravenous fluids should only be given with
caution. No oral tranquilizers are
administered. Artificial respiration may be
necessary to sustain life.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Three major classes
Phenylalkylamine
Benzothiazepine
Dihydropyridine
Block L-type channels
Cause hypotension,
bradycardia, and
arrythmias.
Immediate and sustained
release.
Usually not the childs
medication.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Manage A, B, C’s
Check Labs and EKG
Fluids
Calcium
Glucagon
Pressors
High Dose Insulin
Atorpine and Pacing
Calcium Channel Blockers
May be able to wean
pressors with insulin.
Insulin dosage is 1 unit / kg
bolus and 0.5 units / kg /
hour drip.
Monitor sugar Q20
minutes for the first few
hours.
Most will NOT become
hypoglycemic.
Cyclic Antidepressants
They were the leading cause of poisoning fatality
until 1993.
They interfere with reuptake of biogenic amines
and serotonin at the nerve terminal.
Manifest toxicity by anticholinergic effects, alpha-
1 inhibition, sodium channel blockade, and can
inhibit GABA.
Cause CNS and cardiovascular toxicity with
arrythmias leading to mortality.
EKG Findings
EKG Findings
Cyclic Antidepressant Managment
Manage A, B, C’s aggressively
Optimize electrolytes
Follow serial EKG’s and use Bicarb if:
QRS >100 or 110 msec
aVr > 3 mm
If bicarbonate and magnesium are not effective,
lidocaine is the antidysrhythmic of choice.
Norepinephrine is the pressor of choice for
refractory hypotension.
Is it the Sodium or the Bicarb?
The answer is BOTH!
Alkalinization does
change binding
properties.
How does the bicarb work?
Initially thought to increase protein binding thus
limiting free drug in the blood
Rat study using alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AAG)
only decreased arrhythmias at massive doses. AAG
is a proven TCA binder.
Current theories is that the ionic form of the TCA
binds to the sodium channel causing blockade and
the bicarbonate changes the TCA from the ionic
form to the neutral form causing less blockade.
Iron
The most common cause
of death in toddlers.
Classically taught as
having five clinical stages.
Remember prenatal
vitamins, supplements,
and “natural products”.
Iron
Toxic doses occur at 10-20mg/Kg of elemental iron.
10 hours
SYMPTOMS
RS – breathlessness, cough
CNS – convulsions, coma
GPE – fever, restlessness, cyanosis
GI – vomiting, diarrhea
Lab
Blood –Investigations
Leukocytosis
X – Ray changes
Changes appear within one hour
- commonly right basal infiltrates
- emphysema
- pleural effusion
- pneumatocoeles
Severity score
PARAMETERS ABSENT PRESENT OTHERS
FEVER 0 1 0
SEVERE 0 1 0
MALNUTRITION
RESP. DISTRESS 0 2 4
CNS SYMPTOMS 0 2 4
• >4 – Significant
• <7 – Likely to survive
• >8 –– Risk of death is increased
Management
Avoid emetics
Avoid gastric lavage – In case of massive amount use a
cuffed endotracheal tube
After lavage leave magnesium or sodium sulphate in the
stomach
Oxygen may be useful
Assisted Ventilation
Antibiotics - Penicillin G 50000/Kg/24 hrs IV qid
Kanamycin – 10-15mg/Kg/24 hrs - IM bd
Steroids – Not helpful
Complications
• Pneumothorax
• Pneumatocoeles
• Pleural effusion
• Bronchopneumonia
• Coma
Pralidoxime (PAM) is given in dose of 25-50
mg/kg IM or IV over 30 min infusion. The dose
may be repeated in 1-2 hours, then at 6-12 hour
intervals as needed. Monitor for hypertension.
Never inject morphine, theophylline,
aminophylline or chlorpromazine.
Intravenous fluids should only be given with
caution. No oral tranquilizers are
administered. Artificial respiration may be
necessary to sustain life.
Common Toxidrome Findings
Physical
Findings Anti- Anti- Sedative-
Adrenergic OPIOID
cholinergic cholinesterase hypnotic