Poisoning Flashcards
Poison
Substance that causes disturbances to an organism when a sufficient amount is absorbed.
Toxin
Poison produced biologically
Venom
toxin injected by bite or sting
Toxicity
inherent capacity of a chemical, including drugs, to cause injury.
Nonselective actions
Local irritation
Site of exposure
Injury=denaturing macromolecules
Strong acids and alkali
Selective actions
Interferes with specific biochemical pathways
Chemical has to be absorbed and distributed to a specific pathway
Describe Organophosphate poisoning
Immediate action
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition can cause immediate symptoms
Paracetomol overdose
Selective action
depletion of glutathione needed for conjugating the toxic metabolite NAPQI
Rattex poisoning
Selective action
(rodenticide/”superwarfarins”) contains warfarin and interferes with the Vitamin K pathway
TCA overdose
coma
Describe and provide examples of TCAs.
Block the re-uptake of serotonin and noradrenaline from the synapse.
Amitryptiline, Imipramine and Clomipramine
Sign of Opiate overdose
Respiratory Depression
Hypoventilation.
Antidote for opiate overdose.
Naloxone- Attaches to opioid receptor and blocks/displaces it
Pharmocological antagonist
Criteria for emesis.
time since ingestion <1hr
children
charcoal not indicated.
Methods for emesis.
stimulation of pharynx
Ipecacuanha: Rarely used (lack of evidence)- considered in alert and conscious, early presentation.
Multiple drugs.