ACUTE POISONING Flashcards
Acetaminophen poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Excessive production of the toxic metabolite NAPQI depletes glutathione, leading to hepatotoxicity.
Acetaminophen poisoning - Antidote
N-acetylcysteine (replenishes glutathione stores).
Salicylate (Aspirin) poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and stimulates respiratory centers, leading to mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis.
Salicylate (Aspirin) poisoning - Antidote
Activated charcoal (early), sodium bicarbonate (to alkalinize urine), hemodialysis (severe cases).
Opioid poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Activates opioid receptors causing CNS and respiratory depression.
Opioid poisoning - Antidote
Naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist).
Benzodiazepine poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Enhances GABA activity, causing sedation and respiratory depression.
Benzodiazepine poisoning - Antidote
Flumazenil (GABA receptor antagonist; use with caution due to seizure risk).
Organophosphate poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Inhibits acetylcholinesterase, causing accumulation of acetylcholine and cholinergic symptoms.
Organophosphate poisoning - Antidote
Atropine (blocks muscarinic effects) and pralidoxime (reactivates acetylcholinesterase).
Carbon monoxide poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Binds to hemoglobin with higher affinity than oxygen, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues.
Carbon monoxide poisoning - Antidote
100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Cyanide poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, blocking cellular respiration and causing hypoxia at the cellular level.
Cyanide poisoning - Antidote
Hydroxocobalamin, sodium thiosulfate, or amyl nitrite (forms methemoglobin to bind cyanide).
Methanol poisoning - Mechanism of toxicity
Metabolism to formic acid causes metabolic acidosis and optic nerve damage.