Emergency Treatment of Poisoning

Question 1

Drugs used in paracetamol overdose (2)

Answer 1

N-acetylcysteine, Methionine

Question 2

Other drugs used in emergency treatment of poisoning - Naloxone and Atropine

Answer 2

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids in overdose. It works within two minutes when injected IV and may require multiple doses as the half life is less than that of most opioids. It has an extremely high affinity for u-opioid receptors in the CNS and is a competitive pure antagonist with no agonist if effects that competes with the opioid for binding space.

Atropine is a medication used to treat nerve agents and pesticide poisoning (and also to decrease salivation during surgery). It blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors so serves as treatment for organophosphate poisoning and nerve gas poisoning (chemical weapons). It is given as a treatment for the SLUDGE syndrome produced by organophosphate poisoning (salivation, lacrimal ion, urination, diaphoresis, GI motility and emesis). ADRs include ventricular fibrillation, supra ventricular or ventricular tachycardia, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, loss of balance, dry mouth and confusion

Question 3

Drug Used in acute absorption of overdose of ingested drug up to one hour post ingestion (1)

Answer 3

Activated Charcoal