Ch. 6 Tox Flashcards
What are indications for gastric lavage?
Ingestion of a substance with high-toxic potential and:
■ Within 1 hour of ingestion.
■ Ingested substance is not bound by AC or has no effective antidote.
■ Potential benefits outweigh risks.
When performing gastric lavage, what is the recommended tube size for adults? children?
36F-40F for adults, 22F-28F for children
When performing gastric lavage, how should the patient be positioned?
left-lateral decubitus position, with head lowered below level of feet
When performing gastric lavage, what solution is used for lavage?
250 mL (10-15 mL/kg in children) aliquots of warm water or saline
What is the end point for gastric lavage?
Continue until fluid is clear and a minimum of 2 L has been used
What are common agents that cause anticholinergic toxidrome?
antihistamines
Jimsonweed (scopalamine)
Deadly nightshade (atropine)
What are the signs and symptoms of anticholinergic toxidrome?
Altered mentation
Dry, flushed skin
Mydriasis
Hyperthermia
Seizures
Tachycardia
Urinary retention
What is the treatment for anticholinergic toxicity?
Benzodiazepines
Physostigmine
What agents cause cholinergic toxidrome?
Organophosphates
Carbamates
Sarin
What are signs and symptoms of Cholinergic toxicity?
Altered mentation
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
↑ Secretions
Miosis
nausea/vomiting,
defecation
Seizures
Urination
What is the treatment for cholinergic toxicity?
Atropine 2-PAM (for
organophosphates)
What agents can cause a sympathomimetic toxidrome?
Ephedrine
Ma Huang (Ephedra) (an evergreen shrub)
Cocaine
Amphetamines
What are signs and symptoms of sympathomimetic toxicity?
Agitation
Diaphoresis
Hallucinations
HTN
Hyperthermia
Mydriasis
Muscular rigidity
Tachycardia
What is treatment for sympathomimetic toxicity?
Benzodiazepines
Sodium bicarbonate (for wide complex dysrhythmias)
What agents cause opioid toxidrome?
Morphine
Heroin
What are signs and symptoms of opioid toxicity?
CNS depression
Bradycardia
Hypothermia
Miosis
Respiratory depression
What are signs and symptoms of opioid toxicity?
CNS depression
Bradycardia
Hypothermia
Miosis
Respiratory depression
What are signs and symptoms of opioid toxicity?
CNS depression
Bradycardia
Hypothermia
Miosis
Respiratory depression
What is the treatment for opioid toxicity?
Naloxone
How is activated charcoal dosed?
AC should be given in a 10:1 ratio (ie, ingestion of 1 g of poison requires 10 g of AC), so larger or repeated doses may be required in cases of massive
overdose.
■ Empiric dosing typically starts with 50-100 g (1 g/kg in children).
For what ingestions is activated charcoal contraindicated?
metals (iron, lead, lithium)
alcohols
caustics or hydrocarbons – bc greater danger if AC induced vomiting
What solution and dose is used for Whole Bowel Irrigation (WBI)?
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution is administered at a rate of 1-2 L/h (usually requires a naso- or orogastric tube)
What is the desired endpoint for whole bowel irrigation?
clear rectal effluent or a total irrigation volume of 10 L
When is Whole Bowel Irrigation indicated?
Removal of ingested drug packets (eg, body packers) without suspicion of packet rupture, large ingestion of a sustained-release drug, or potentially
toxic ingestion that cannot be treated with AC (eg, metals)
Common indications for WBI: Body packers,
sustained-release formula medications,
and metals.
What are contraindications for whole bowel irrigation?
Diminished level of consciousness/unprotected airway reflexes (intubate first),
decreased GI motility,
bowel obstruction,
significant GI hemorrhage,
or persistent emesis
What is Multiple-Dose Activated Charcoal and when is it indicated?
repeated doses of AC (every 2-4 hours) to increase poison clearance
Drugs with:
- enterohepatic or enteroenteric circulation,
- sustainedrelease agents, and
- agents that form concretions or bezoars can possibly be treated with MDAC include the following: Carbamazepine, dapsone,
phenobarbital, quinine, and theophylline.
With what ingestions is urinary alkalinization indicated?
Aspirin
Methotrexate
Phenobarbital
How is urinary Alkalinization achieved?
sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) infusion
The most common method uses 150 mEq of NaHCO3 (3 amps) in 1 L D5W, infused at 1.5 to 2 × the normal intravenous (IV) fluid maintenance rate
What is a contraindication to urinary alkalinization?
Patients who cannot tolerate excess sodium/water loading (eg, congestive heart failure [CHF], renal failure)
What drug ingestions can commonly cause Bradydysrhythmias (sinus bradycardia, AV block)?
b-Blockers
Ca++ channel blockers
Cardiac glycosides
Clonidine
Other antidysrhythmic agents
What drug ingestions can commonly cause Tachydysrhythmias (sinus tachycardia, SVT, VT)?
Anticholinergics
Stimulants
Sympathomimetics
What drug ingestions can commonly cause QTc prolongation?
Antidepressants
Antidysrhythmic agents
Antipsychotic medications
Hydrofluoric acid
Many others
What drug ingestions can commonly cause ischemic changes on ECG?
Stimulants
Sympathomimetics
What are ECG findings of Digoxin?
Digitalis effect—seen in both therapeutic use and
overdose
Bidirectional VT (rare)
Atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response
What ECG findings are common with Tricyclic antidepressants?
Rightward deviation of the QRS axis
Terminal R wave in aVR
QRS prolongation
What enzymes digest alcohol in the liver? What is the cofactor?
Alcohol Dehydrogenase
NAD+ is the cofactor
How does the metabolization of methanol and ethylene glycol differ from other types of alcohols?
the metabolites (not the parent compound) cause severe toxicity, making ADH blockade a key factor in treatment
What type of alcohol is seen in windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze, photocopier fluid, and solid fuels?
Methanol
What are the toxic metabolites of methanol?
Metabolized by ADH to a toxic metabolite, formaldehyde and then by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to formic acid
Formic acid accumulation → anion gap metabolic acidosis.
What are the classic visual symptoms seen in methanol toxicity?
Classic description is “looking through a snow field,”
hyperemic optic discs, retinal edema (sluggish fixed pupils), blindness
How is methanol ingestion/toxicity diagnosed?
direct serum methanol measurement
(but serial bicarbonate measurements may be used if levels are not available)
Suspect methanol ingestion if patient has a high osmole gap, anion gap metabolic acidosis, and visual symptoms.
What osmole gap may suggest methanol ingestion/toxicity? and how is it calculated?
osmole gap > 10 mOsm/kg may be abnormal and may suggest the presence
of a toxic alcohol.
Osmole gap = measure osmolality − calculated
osmolarity, where calculated serum osmolarity = 2(Na+) + (BUN/2.8) + (glucose/18) + (ethanol/4.6).
What is the antidote for methanol ingestion/toxicity?
Fomepizole or ethanol
What is the mechanism of action of Fomepizole?
blocks ADH, preventing production of formic acid
How can you monitor response to treatment with fomepizole in someone with methanol ingestion/toxicity?
serial bicarbonate measurements
What is the role of Folate in the treatment of Methanol overdose/toxicity?
Folate improves the metabolism of formic acid to carbon dioxide and water.
When should hemodialysis be considered in methanol toxicity?
severe acidosis,
renal failure,
visual changes, or
a serum level ≥ 50 mg/dL
What toxic alcohol is most commonly found in engine coolants (antifeeze), break fluid?
Ethylene Glycol (OHCH2CH2OH)
How does Ethylene Glycol cause toxicity?
Ethylene glycol itself has minimal toxicity, causing mild intoxication.
■ Metabolized by ADH and ALDH to toxic metabolites: OXALIC ACID causes direct renal toxicity, and GLYCOLATE causes anion gap metabolic acidosis.
What are the 4 stages of ethylene glycol toxicity?
(1) acute neurologic stage (30 minutes to 12 hours);
(2) cardiopulmonary stage (12- 24 hours);
(3) renal stage (24-72 hours); and
(4) delayed neurologic sequelae (6-12 days)
How is ethylene glycol toxicity diagnosed?
Gold standard is direct serum measurement of ethylene glycol, or serial bicarbonate measurements if levels are not available
Suspect ethylene glycol ingestion if patient has an osmole gap, anion gap metabolic acidosis, and acute renal failure. Oxalic acid may also falsely
increase the serum lactate with some assays.
What is the antidote for ethylene glycol toxicity?
fomepizole or ethanol
(same as methanol)
Besides fomepizole or ethanol, what may be helpful in ethylene glycol toxicity?
Thiamine (vitamin B1) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may help convert glyoxylic acid to nontoxic metabolites.
When is HD indicated in ethylene glycol toxicity?
severe acidosis (pH < 7.25),
renal failure, or
electrolyte disturbances
What toxic alcohol is found in rubbing alcohol, perfumes, and some hand sanitizers?
ISOPROPANOL (ISOPROPYL A LCOHOL—CH3CHOHCH3 )
How does the metabolism of Isopropanol differ from that of methanol and ethylene glycol?
isopropanol is not metabolized to an organic acid. It is converted directly to acetone by ADH.
Isopropanol is directly toxic to __________.
GI mucosa
How is isopropanol toxicity diagnosed?
Measured directly in the serum
Ingestion should be suspected in patients who appear intoxicated but have low or undetectable ethanol levels.
Can get Osmolar gap, +serum acetone
How does isopropanol affect serum pH?
Isopropanol does NOT directly cause a metabolic acidosis. (whereas methanol and ethylene glycol do)
What is the treatment for isopropanol toxicity?
Supportive care only
(fomepizole will not help, HD will not help)
What 5 channels/receptors do TCAs affect?
Histamine receptors (blockade)
Muscarinic receptors (inhibition)
a-adrenergic receptors (blockade) –> hypotension
GABA receptor (antagonism) –>seizures
Na+ channel (blockade) –> QRS prolongation
K+ channel (antagonism) –> QTc prolongation
What are the early signs and symptoms of TCA poisoning?
Tachycardia, hypertension, rapid mumbled speech, urinary retention, alteration of consciousness
What are the late signs and symptoms of TCA poisoning?
Myocardial depression, hypotension, ECG with wide QRS >100 milliseconds → seizures, wide complex cardiac dysrhythmia.
How does acidosis worsen TCA overdose?
acidosis worsens sodium channel blockade –> increases QRS prolongation and seizures
What are ECG findings in TCA overdose?
QRS widening
>100 ms - associated with increased risk of seizures
>160 ms - associated with increased risk of wide complex dysrhythmias
Terminal R wave in aVr >3mm
Rightward deviation of the terminal 40 milliseconds of the QRS.
QTc prolongation
What is the treatment for TCA overdose?
- supportive; early intubation to avoid respiratory acidosis
- charcoal if within 1 hr of ingestion (intubate first)
- Sodium bicarb if indicated
What are indications for sodium bicarb administration in TCA overdose?
■ QRS > 120 milliseconds or longer
■ Ventricular dysrhythmias
■ Hypotension unresponsive to fluids
■ Administer boluses of 1-2 mEq/kg until narrowing of QRS
What is the mechanism of SSRIs?
Inhibition of presynaptic serotonin reuptake → increased CNS serotonin
What should you be thinking about in hyperthermic patient with AMS and myoclonus or rigidity?
Serotonin Syndrome
What is the treatment for SSRI (fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine) overdose?
Antidote = Cyproheptadine – use in Serotonin Syndrome in patient tolerating PO
Supportive care
Benzos for agitation, seizures, or neuromuscular hyperactivity
What are examples of medications that may cause MAO toxicity?
MAOIs: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and St. John’s wort (supplement sometimes used for depression)
MAOI-B inhibitors (selegiline, rasagiline) are used to treat Parkinson disease and are much less toxic in overdose.
When is onset of symptoms with MAOI overdose?
6-12 hours delayed
What is the pathophysiology behind MAOI toxicity?
Inhibition of monoamine oxidase → decreased inactivation of biogenic amines, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin → excessive
circulating catecholamines
What are signs and symptoms of MAOI toxicity?
excessive sympathetic activity
■ Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, hyperthermia, hypertension
■ Musculoskeletal: Muscle rigidity, hyperreflexia, myoclonus
■ CNS: Seizures, coma, agitation, mydriasis
Describe the symptoms of a Tyramine reaction.
after ingestion of tyramine containing foods (red wine, cheese, etc)
■ Headache, hypertension, diaphoresis, palpitations, and neuromuscular excitation lasting for several hours
What is the treatment for MAOI toxicity?
Benzos for: agitation, rigidity, seizures, tachycardia, hyperthermia
If severely hypertensive –> sodium nitroprusside or phentolamine
What is the hallmark of bupropion toxicity?
seizures
What are hallmarks of mirtazepine (remeron) toxicity?
hypotension, serotonin syndrome
What are hallmarks of Trazodone toxicity?
Similar to SSRIs
Serotonin syndrome
Hypotension
Priapism
What are hallmarks of Venlafaxine toxicity?
CNS sedation
Serotonin syndrome
Dysrhythmias
Seizures
What 3 conditions are associated with chronic use of Isoniazid?
peripheral neuropathy
hepatitis
drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
How does Isoniazid cause toxicity?
Reduction of vitamin B6 in brain → ↓ GABA production (the inhibitory neurotransmitter
in the brain) but ↑glutamate (the excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain) → seizures
What is the treatment for Isoniazid toxicity?
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) - replenished Vitamin B6 stores to help replete GABA
AC if early and no CNS depression
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines for status epilepticus until antidote available.
What is a complication of chronic large doses of pyridoxine?
peripheral neuropathy
How do reverse transcriptase inhibitors cause toxicity?
Mitochondrial toxicity → lactic acidosis, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis
What are symptoms of reverse transcriptase inhibitor toxicity?
■ Malaise
■ Tachypnea, hyperpnea
■ Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain
What is the treatment for toxicity caused by Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Toxicity?
If severe lactic acidosis → sodium bicarbonate, HD, or CRRT for correction of acidosis
In addition to anticholinergic toxidrome, what channel blockade may be seen with diphenhydramine overdose?
Sodium channel blockade
ie QRS prolongation
What is the treatment for anticholinergic toxicity?
IV fluids and benzos (for seizures, agitation, and hyperthermia)
Antidote = physostigmine
»_space; indicated for agitation and delirium uncontrolled with sedatives
» contraindicated if QRS >100 ms or hx of TCA overdose
What is the mnemonic for cholinergic toxidrome?
SLUDGE
Salivation/Sweating
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Gastrointestinal distress
Emesis
plus
“The Killer Bs”
Bradycardia
Bronchorrhea
Bronchospasm
What can be a complication of anticholinergic toxicity?
Rhabdomyolysis – may need to follow CK and Creatinine
What agents may cause cholinergic toxicity?
Donepezil
Pyridostigmine
edrophonium
organophosphates
Sarin (nerve agent used in bioterrorism)
Pilocarpine (used in glaucoma)
Nicotine
Muschrooms (Clytocybe and inocybe species)
What is the mechanism of cholinergic toxicity?
Inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase → excess acetylcholine at muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
What are signs/symptoms of cholinergic toxicity?
AMS (delirium to coma), seizures, lacrimation, salvation, sweating, bronchorrhea, bronchospasm, bradycardia, miotic (constricted) pupils, urinary/bowel incontinence, hyperactive bowel sounds, and muscle fasciculations
What is the treatment for cholinergic toxicity
Supportive care:
1. Atropine to dry up airway secretions and treat unstable bradycardia (very high doses often needed),
2. benzodiazepines for seizures
and agitation, and
3. pralidoxime (2-PAM) to regenerate acetylcholinesterase in organophosphate poisoning
Describe the onset and timing of warfarin overdose.
effect is delayed typically >/=15 hours
duration of action may be up to 6 days
(PT/INR should be monitored for 3-4 days)
What is the mechanism of action of warfarin?
Blocks the synthesis of antithrombotic proteins C and S → prothrombotic period before vitamin K–dependent factors are depleted
What is the treatment for Warfarin overdose?
Activated charcoal if within 1 hour
supportive with pRBCs if needed
Approach depends on INR for Vitamin K, FFP, PCC, recombinant factor VIIa
Warfarin: What is the treatment for INR <5 without any clinically significant bleeding?
lower or skip dose; resume when INR therapeutic
Warfarin: What is the treatment for INR 5-9 without any clinically significant bleeding?
omit 1-2 doses
OR
skip dose and give vitamin K1 (1-2mg PO)
resume at lower dose when INR therapeutic
Warfarin: What is the treatment for INR >9 without any clinically significant bleeding?
- Hold Warfarin
- Give higher dose of Vitamin K1 (5-10mg PO)
- Resume at lower dose when INR therapeutic
Warfarin: What is the treatment for serious bleeding at any elevation of INR?
- Hold Warfarin
- Give Vitamin K (10mg slow IV
- Give FFP or PCC
(recombinant factor VIIa is an alternative therapy)
On Warfarin: What is the treatment for life threatening bleeding?
- Hold Warfarin
- Give Vitamin K (10mg slow IV
- Give FFP, PCC, or recombinant factor VIIa
Repeat as necessary
What is the dose for FFP?
10-15 mg/kg will restore factor levels to ≥ 30% of normal
What is a risk factor for Warfarin-induced skin necrosis?
protein C deficiency
What is the mechanism of warfarin-induced skin necrosis?
transient hypercoagulable state leading to thrombosis of cutaneous vessels (most commonly 3-8 days after initiating warfarin)
How can warfarin induced skin necrosis be avoided?
Prevented by coadministration of heparin during initiation of warfarin therapy
How is warfarin induced skin necrosis treated?
discontinuation of warfarin and initiation of heparin therapy
What is the mechanism of Heparin toxicity?
Binds antithrombin III → heparin-antithrombin III complex → inhibits multiple steps (IXa, Xa, XIa, XIIa, and thrombin) in intrinsic and extrinsic pathways