Poisoning

Question 1

Dangerous drugs for accidental poisoning include

Answer 1

• all cardiac drugs
• antidepressants
• antipsychotics and anxiolytics
• iron tablets
• Lomotil, analgesics
• alcohol
• potassium
• opioids
• ‘designer’ drugs.

Be mindful of the serotonin syndrome

Question 2

Principles of treatment

Answer 2

In an emergency, call for an ambulance and consult your local emergency department or poisons information centre.

• Identify the poison
• Rapid triage
• Support vital functions A, B, C, D (D = dextrose)
• Administer antidote (if available) early (e.g. bicarbonate for tricyclics, N-acetyl-cysteine for paracetamol)
• Treat any complications (e.g. cardiac arrhythmias)

Note: Emesis, gastric lavage and charcoal are not routinely recommended.