SESSION 6: OVERDOSES Flashcards
What drug is used to treat an ethylene glycol poisoning?
IV Fomepizole
(Historically alcohol was used which works by competing with ethylene glycol for alcohol dehydrogenase which limits the formation of toxic metabolites)
If this doesnt work haemodialysis is used
MOA of Fomepizole?
It inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase which usually catalyses the metabolism of ethylene glycol to its toxic metabolite
How do we monitor the beneficial efefcts of naloxone in the short term?
RR
Management of a TCA OD?
Oral activated charcoal can be used if they present within 1 hour
IV bicarbonate - used for hypotension, widening of the QRS interval >100 msec or a ventricular arrhythmia
other drugs can be used for arrhythmias (but not class 1 a/c or class 3 drugs as they can prolong depolarisation/QTc)
intravenous lipid emulsion is increasingly used to bind free drug and reduce toxicity
What can the QRS length in a TCA OD tell you about the risk?
Widening of QRS > 100ms is associated with an increased risk of seizures whilst QRS > 160ms is associated with ventricular arrhythmias
Most common SE of glucagon?
Nausea!!
Lithium monitoring rules?
Serum-lithium concentrations should be monitored 1 week after treatment initiation, and 1 week after each dose/formulation change, and then weekly until concentrations are stable
When serum-lithium concentrations are stable, monitor every 3 months for the first year, and every 6 months thereafter.
(Remember check conc 12 hours after drug given)
Thyroid and renal function checked every 6 months
Anticholinergic Toxidrome?
Tachycardia, hypertension
Hyperthermia
Decreased bowel sounds
Mydriasis
Decreased sweating
Cholinergic Toxidrome?
Miosis
Increased bowel sounds
Increased sweating
Opioid Toxidrome?
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Bradypnoea
Miosis
Decreased bowel sounds
Decreased sweating
Sympathomimetic Toxidrome?
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Tachypnoea
Hyperthermia
Mydriasis
Increased bowel sounds
Increased sweating
Sedative & hypnotics Toxidrome?
E.g. benzos, barbs, Z-drugs and antihistamines
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Bradypnoea
Hypothermia
Decreased bowel sounds
Decreased sweating
Where can you call id you need help 24/7 on a toxicology?
National poisons information service
Management of opioid OD?
400 micrograms IV/IM naloxone (remmeber very short half life!!)
If no response can be repeated multiple times at higher doses - check BNF
Be very careful about monitoring their airway!!
Most noticeable way benzo OD present differently to an opioid OD?
Benzos pt often complain of diplopia, have nystagmus and may have Mydriasis
Management of a benzo OD?
Flumazenil
The majority of ODs are managed with supportive care only though!! It is generally only used with severe (i.e. resp depression) or iatrogenic overdoses
In patients who are physically dependent on benzodiazepines, flumazenil can cause abrupt withdrawal by rapidly displacing benzos from their receptors = seizures.
Mixed OD Scenarios: In cases where benzodiazepines have been co-ingested with substances that lower the seizure threshold (e.g., TCAs, cocaine, or alcohol), the sudden removal of benzo-mediated sedation can unmask these pro-convulsant effects.
Symptoms of SSRI OD?
N&V
Agitation
Tremor
Nystagmus
Drowsy
Sinus tachycardia
Convulsions
Rarely severe poisoning can cause serotonin syndrome (altered mental status, neuromuscular hyperactivity, autonomic nervous system excitation)
Management of SSRI OD?
Activated charcoal if within 1 hour
If temp >39 they need rapid sedation and internal cooling with cold fluid lavage (if less severe you can use external cooling devices)
Supportive Tx e.g. fluids or convulsions can be treated with benzos
If very severe serotonin antagonists can be used e.g. cyproheptadine or chlorpromazine
Whats important to remmeber about administering sodium bicarbonate?
Should be given through a central line if undiluted as can cause tissue necrosis
MOA of sodium bicarbonate?
Systemic alkalizer - increases plasma HCO3-, buffers excess H+ and raises blood pH
Urinary alkalizer which increases the excretion of free HCO3- raising urine pH
Also acts as an antacid to neutralize/buffer stomach acid and increase pH of stomach contents
Features of aspirin OD?
May take up to 6-12 hours to manifest:
N&V, epigastric pain
Hyperventilation
Tinnitus, decreased hearing, vertigo
Agitation, confusion
Sweating/hyperthermia
Convulsions
If severe - coma
Hypokalaemia
Mixed respiratory alkalosis & metabolic acidosis with high anion gap (metabolic acidosis is a late sign!!!)
Tx of aspirin OD?
IV fluids may be needed
Seizures may need IV benzos
Intubation may be required if declining GCS
Activated charcoal if within 1 hour
Correct K+ levels before giving sodium bicarbonate! May interfere with alkalinisation of the urine
If plasma levels s>500mg/L consider sodium bicarbonate for urinary alkalisation
Pt may need cooling
If very severe may need haemodialysis
Features of a TCA OD?
Tachycardia & palpitations
Drowsy
Confusion
Hyperthermia
Dry skin
Dry mouth
Mydriasis
Urinary retention
Ataxia
Nystagmus
Hyperkalaemia
Hypertension
Metabolic acidosis
In recovery visual hallucinations, confusion and agitation can occur
ECG changes in TCA OD?
Widened QRS
Prolonged QTc
What % of TCA ODs are fatal and why?
70% because they are VERY cardiotoxic
Monitoring needed during TCA OD?
ECG monitoring for the first 24 hours!
Tx of TCA OD?
Supportive measures e.g. airway, benzos for seizures
Activated charcoal if within 1 hour
If QRS >120ms, arrhythmia or acidosis - sodium bicarbonate for serum alkalisation
Sx of alcohol toxicity?
Ataxia
Dysarthria
Nystagmus
Drowsiness -> coma
Hypotension
Acidosis
Hypoglycaemia
Aspiration of vomit!
Why does hypokalaemia cause digoxin toxicity?
digoxin normally binds to the ATPase pump on the same site as K+
When K+ is low → digoxin more easily bind to the ATPase pump → increased inhibitory effects
Precipitating factors for digoxin toxicity?
Most commonly hypokalaemia
Renal failure
Increasing age
MI
Low magnesium, high calcium/sodium, acidosis
Low albumin
Hypothermia
Hypothyroidism
Drugs that compete for secretion in DCT and so reduce excretion e.g. amiodarone, verapamil, diltiazem, spironolactone
Drugs that cause hypokalaemia e.g thiazides and loop diuretics
What are most fatalities from alcohol toxicity from?
Aspiration
Hypoglycaemia
Cardiac arrhythmias
Symptoms of digoxin OD?
generally unwell, lethargy, nausea & vomiting, anorexia, confusion, yellow-green vision
arrhythmias (e.g. AV block, bradycardia)
gynaecomastia
Management of alcohol toxicity?
If hypoglycaemia give glucose
If withdrawal - long acting benzos e.g. chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam if liver cirrhosis
Thiamine supplements may be needed
Management of digoxin toxicity?
Digibind (digoxin antidote containing digoxin-specific antibody Fab fragments)
Also monitor K+ and correct any arrhythmias
Antidote for benzos?
Flumezanil
Antidote for insulin ?
Glucagon
Tx of an overdose of beta blockers?
Fluid resuscitation. Vasopressors and inotropes may be needed
IV glucagon if severe hypotension, HF or cardiogenic shock
Can consider IV sodium bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis
IV atropine sulfate for sy,ptmaic bradycardia (or a temp cardiac pacemaker)
Treat bronchospasm with neb bronchodilators and corticosteroids
If prolonged convulsions not responding to supportive Tx consider benzos
Antidote for iron salt OD?
Desferrioxamine mesilate (chelates iron)
Antidote for methanol or ethylene glycol?
Fomepizole or ethanol
Features of ethylene glycol toxicity?
Stage 1: confusion, slurred speech, dizziness (similar to alcohol)
Stage 2: metabolic acidosis with high anion gap and high osmolar gap. tachycardia & hypertension
Stage 3: AKI
Toxic mechanism of salicylate OD?
Salicylates irreversible block the COX-1 pathway and modify the COX-2 pathway resulting in a decrease in inflammation and platelet aggregation. It stimulates the respiratory centres causing hyperpnoea, noted as a respiratory alkalosis on a gas sample. Its other effect is uncoupling of the oxidative phosphorylation which results in in a build up of lactic acidosis and a resultant metabolic acidosis.
Monitoring of a pt with salicylate OD?
Plasma salicylate levels and repeat as absorption is slow so concentration may continue to rise for several hours
PH
Electrolytes - particuarly K+