Toxicology Flashcards
Charcoal - give for the Killer Cs
Indications
Agents bound
Improve clinical outcome
Benefits»_space; risks
Good outcome not expected with supportive care alone
< 2hrs post ingestion, 4hrs if XR
Dose 1g/kg up to 50g
Agents effective for
Cyanide
Colchicine
CCB
TCAs
Cardiac-glycosides
Cyclopeptide mushrooms
Cocaine
Cicutoxin (water hemlock)
Salicylates
Complications
Vomiting / mess
GI - bowel obstruction and perforation
Aspiration
Corneal abrasions
Distraction from resus and supportive care
Charcoal CI
Initial resus incomplete
Non-toxic or sub-toxic dose
Good outcome with supportive care alone
Unprotected airway
Risk Ax - imminent risk of seizures or decreased GCS
Corrosive ingestion
Uncooperative patient
Agent not bound - Corrosives/ Hydrocarbon / Metals ingestion
Charcoal - substances do not bind
Pesticides
Heavy metals / Hydrocarbons
Acids / Alkalis / Alcohols
Li
Solvents
Also can use Against Medical Advice
Acids/Alkalis
Metals
Alcohols
Whole Bowel Irrigation Indications
Indications:
* Metals: Iron > 60mg/kg, SR KCl > 2.5 mmol/kg Lead, Li,
* Life threatening SR Verapamil or diltiazem
* Body Packers (wrapped drug ingestion)
Endpoint - clear effluent
Procedure:
PEG solution 1-2L/hr via NGT (25ml/kg/hr in kids)
Prokinetic e.g. metoclopramide 10-20mg IV q6h
CI
Good outcome with supportive care
Uncoopertive pt
Unalbe to pass NGT
Vomiting
BO or ileus
I+V (relative CI)
Complications
Vomiting
Aspiration
NAGMA
Distraction from resus and supportive care
Delay retrieval to hospital offering definitve care
Charcoal MDAC
Interrupts enterohepatic circulation
- prevents reabsorption in SB
GI dialysis
- small, lipid solublem small Vd, low protein binding
Prevent Drugs Crossing Too Quickly
**Phenobarbitone
Dapsone
Carbamazepine
Theophylline
Quinine
**
Initial dose: 1g/kg up to 50g
Subsequent: 0.5g/kg q4hr
Drugs amenable to HD
Isoniazid
Salicylates / Sodium Valproate
Toxic alcohols and Theopylline
Uraemia
Metformin, Methanol
Barbiturates
Lithium
Ethylene glycol
Dabigatran, Diethylene and triethylene glycols
Massive carbamazapine / valproate overdose
Potassium salt w/ life-threatening hyperkalaemia
Low MW
Low protein binding
Low Vd
Low plasma clearance
Urinary alkalinisation
Indications: salicylate toxicity, phenobarbitone (2nd Line)
Complications:
Alkalaemia
Inc Na, Dec K+, Dec Ca2+
Fluid overload /pulmonary oedema
Method
Correct hypokalaemia - hypoK inhibits UA
1ml 8.4% NaHCO3 = 1mmol NAHCO3
1-2mmol/kg over 5-10 mins
Then infusion 150mls into 850mls 5% Dextrose at 200ml/hr
Monitoring:
Monitor serum Na, HCO3 and K+ 4 hourly
Urine pH aim for 7.5-8.0, do not inc serum pH >7.5
VBGs
Salicylate levels
Endpoints
Resolving clinical symptoms
Resolving biochemical abN i.e. met acidosis
Decreasing salicylate elvels
Ricin communis (castor beans)
Abrin precatorius (jequirity bean)
Poisonus seeds - cytotoxic agents inhibit protein synthesis
Risk
- Greater risk if chewed or crushed c.f. whole ingestion
- 1000 x more potent if inhaled (ricin)
- Oil from castor bean readily extracted making it potential biological weapon if aersolised
- Abrin may present late - 3-14 days post ingestion
- Beware - kids - like “pretty” beads
Supportive treatment only
Presentation
- GI upset
- N/V/D
- Haematemsis or melaena
- Multiorgan failure
- CNS - Drowsy, confused, convulsion, coma
- Pulmonary - ARDS if inhaled
- Cardiac
- DIC
- Electrolyte disturbances - GI losses
- Renal
- Hepatic
Rx
- Supportive
- Decontanimate
- ABC
- NIV for ARDS
- IVF +/- inotopres
- Charocal / WBI
- ICU / Tox
Sulfonylureas
Profound prolonged hypoglycaemia, onsets within 8 hrs, can be more for SR or XR preparations
Can dvp at therapeutic doses in context of renal failure
Children - 1 tablet can kill
Pharm
- Stimulate endogenous insulin secretion - OD leads to hyperinsulinaemia
- Rapid and complete absorption, peak 4-6hrs, hepatic metabolism and renal excretion
Sx
- CNS Sx
- Autonomic Sx (NB Beta blockers)
Mx
- Charcoal - within 1 hr or 4hrs for MR/XR preparation
- Supportive
- Check BSL hrly
- Aim to Mx with PO complex carb intake
- Rx hypoglycaemia with dextrose 50%
- Start octreotide (decreases insulin secretion)
- 50mcg bolus then 25mcg/hr
- Disposition
- Children 18hrs
- At least 8hrs or 12hrs if MR preparation
- Must be euglycaemic, ASx and well can be DC home
Insulin
Profound prolonged hypoglycaemia, may result in life threatening seizures, coma and permanent neurlogical injury
Pharm
- DoA extended - days
- Slow and erretic release from SC injection site
- Prolonged clearance
Sx - can persist > 3 days
- CNS Sx
- Autonomic Sx (NB Beta blockers)
Mx
- No role for charcoal / WBI / dialysis
- Resus
- Rx hypoglycaemia
- Adult - 50mls 50% dextrose
- Then 10% at 100mls/hr
- May need 25% or 50% dextrose
- Child - 2mls/kg 10% dextrose
- Adult - 50mls 50% dextrose
- Monitor and replace electrolytes - K/Mg/PO4
- Disposition
- ICU/HDU
- Can be D/C home or Psych review if well at 6 hours, not recieved any medical Rx
Metformin
Life-threatening lactic acidosis
Therapeutic doses + renal failure (context of sepsis => 50% mortality)
Toxic Mechanism
Metformin inhibits gluconeogenesis, reduces hepatic glucose output and increases peripheral uptake
Type B lactic acidosis ? by inhibiting hepatic reuptake of lactate
Clinical Features
Hypoglycaemia not a feature
Early GI upset
Lactic acidosis
CVS - Tachycardia, hypotension - may progress to shock
CNS - sedation, coma seiziures
Mx
* Decon - AC if >10g + < 2hrs for IR, < 4 hrs for SR preps
* Supportive
- Maintain UO, discontinue nephrotoxic meds
* Lactic acidosis
- NaHCO3 to control severe acidosis
* Correct hyperkaelamia
* Heamodialysis
- Lactate > 20mmol/l
- Refractory hyper K+
- Worsening acidosis
B-Blockers
Propanolol (1g) / Sotalol potentially life-threatening
Risk
* Co-ingestion with Brady Bunch
* Age
Pharm
* met / chrono / inotropic effects
* Rapid absorption, peak at 1-3 hrs,
Clinical Effects
* Propanolol - Na+ channel block - Rx like TCA
* Cardiac - bradycardia, hypotension, QRS prolongation, AV block, vent dysrrhythmias
* CNS - delirium / seizures / coma
* Sotalol - K+ channel block
* QT prolongation
* Bronchospasm, Pulm oedema
* Hypoglycaemia
Mx
* Decon - AC if <2hrs IR or 4 hrs MR/SR
* IVF bolus for hypotension
* Bradycardia and refractory hypotension
* Atropine
* Isoprenaline or adrenaline/NA/Vasopressin
* HIET
* Wide QRS >120ms
* NaHCO3 1-2mEQ/kg over 1-2mins
* Torsades
* Isoprenaline
* Mg
* Overdrive pacing
* Seizures
* As per normal
* Consider IV Dextrose dosing as may be neuroglycopaenia
* Consider intra-lipid - not enough data
Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil/Diltiazem commonly lead to CVS collapse
- Cardiogenic +/- vasoplegic shock
Risk
* 2-3 x normal dose or >10 tabs can cause severe toxicity
* Co-ingestion with Brady Bunch
* Onset 2hrs or 16hrs for SR preps
Pharm
* block L-type Ca-channels
* SM relaxation -> peripheral + coronary vasodilation
* Negative ino/chronotropy
* Inhibit insulin release -> hyperglycaemia
* peak 1-2 hrs or 16hrs for SR preps
* Both have active metabolites with vasodilator activity
Clinical Effects
* Cardiac - bradycardia, refractory hypotension, QRS prolongation, AV block, vent dysrrhythmias
* MI / CVA / mesenteric ischaemia potential complications
* CNS - depression if co-ingestant
* Met - hyperglycaemia + lactic acidosis - severe
Early life threats
* Hypotension
* Cardiac dysrrhythmia
* Cardiac arrest
Mx
* Cardiogenic shock
* Atropine for bradycardia - 3 doses
* Inotropes - adrenaline for bradycardia, NA for vaspoplegia
* * HIET - takes 30 mins to work
* Antidote Calcium 30mls 10% Ca gluconate (0.2mmol/kg for child)
* Refractory shock
* Methylene blue
* Ventricular pacing - TC/TV
* Cardiac bypass/ ECMO / IABP
* (Others - intralipid / albumin dialysis)
- Decontamination - AC if <2hrs IR, < 4hrs SR
- Elimination
- WBI - >10tabs SR
HIET
Inotrope in context of CCB and BB overdose with haemodynamic compromise
Mx
- Initiate
- Dextrose 25g (50mls 50%)
- CHILD: 2.5mls/kg 10% IV for children
- Insulin 1u/kg IV bolus
- Maintenance
- Glucose 25g/hr through CVC
- Insulin 0.5u/kg/hr (increase to 1-2u/kg/hr)
- BSL check q10min then 30-60min when insulin dose stable - Aim BSL 4-8 mmol/l
- Electrolytes - K / Mg / PO4
- Glucose supplementation may be required up to 24 hours after stopping insulin therapy
NOACs
Warfarin
INR > 5.0 => increased bleeding risk
>2mg/kg => sig increase in INR in 72hrs, <0.5mg/kg unlikely adverse events
Mech
- inhibits vit K metabolism, a cofactor for factors II, VII, IX, X, protein C and S synthesis,
- > 12hrs before anticoagulant effect, peak at 72hrs
- T1/2 6, 24, 40. 60h for factors VII, IX, X, II resp
Mx
- INR > 5.0 + no bleeding - withold warfarin
- INR 5-9 + no bleeding - withold 1-2 doses, PO vit K
- INR >9 + no bleeding - withold until therapeutic, PO vit K
- Bleeding - , withold,IV vit K, FFP / aPTC
- Life-threatening bleeding - withold, IV vit K, aPTC, FVII
Dispo
- Kids >0.5mg/kg - 10mg PO vit K, DC
- No anticoagulation requirement - 5mg vit K BD for 48hrs, INR 48hrs
- Anticoagulant requirement - admit and INR monitoring, titrate vit K 0.5-2mg if INR >5
NB large doses of vit K for pts requiring anticoagulation - will need heparin until INR therapeurtic again
Tick Paralysis
Species most likely Ixodes holocyclus
Significant illness more common in small children, some cases in adults
Holocyclotixin => inhibition of ACh release at presynaptic region NMJ
Signs/Sx
- Drowsiness or unsteady gait
- Ascending paralyis over days
- Frequent cranial nerve involvement
- Paralysis may progress up to 48 hrs post removal
- Death secondary to respiratory failure
DDx
- GBS - no ocular signs with GBS
- Infant botulism - tick paralysis more mobile kids
- Snake bite - faster onset
- Blue-ringed octopus - faster onset
Mx
- Supportive - resp support
- Likely to require I+V for days to weeks
- Removal of tick
- Pyrethrin-based insecticide
- Remove intact
- Admit for neuro obs
Complications
- Local
- Tick paralysis
- Anaphylaxis
- Mammalian meat allergy
- Typhus - Rickettsia
Redback Spider
Latrodectus - member of black widow family
Bites from mature females more severe
Tox - alpha-latrotoxin opens pre-synaptic cation channels releasing many motor endplate neurotransmitters => 4 main actions
- Motor NMJ paralysis
- Catecholamine release
- Stimulation of cholinergic nerve endings - sweating
- Local pain - may be severe
Signs/Sx
- Local
- Intense pain builds over 5-10 minutes
- Piloerection
- Sweating
- Erythema
- Distal
- LN swelling
- Systemic
- Fever, headache, malaise
- N/V
- HTN + tachycardia
- Myalgia
- Sweating
- Priapism
- Neuro
- Paraesthesia
- Paralysis - patchy
Mx
- Ice
- Analgesia
- Antivenom
- Not used in NSW secondary to RAVE II study
- ONLY used if pain control an issue
- Complicatiosn include serum sickness
- DC when Sx resolve
*
Paracetamol - General
Toxic mechanism
- Build up of NAPQI => depletion of glutathione stores
- NAPQI binds other proteins leading to hepatocyte injury
- Hallmark is centrilobular necrosis
Toxicokinetics
* Good PO absorption
* Peaks 1-2 hours tabs and 30 mins liquid
* 90% hepatic glucuronidation or sulfation
* 10% oxidsed by CYP-450 to form NAPQI - normally bound by GSH and excreted in urine
Clinical Phases
**Phase 1 (24hrs)
ASx or N/V
Phase 2 (1-3 days)
* RUQ pain
* Hepatotoxicity = ALT or AST > 1000 IU/L
* ALT/AST peak at 48-72 hrs (can reach 15-20,000)
Phase 3 (3-4 days)
* Severe cases hepatoxicity may progress to fulminant liver failure - coagulopathy, jaundice, encehpalopathy., MOD
* Poor prognosis - metabolic acidosis with high lactate, ARF, worsening coagulopathy and encephalopathy
Phase 4 (4 days to 2 weeks)
* Hepatic structure and function return to normal**
Paracetamol - ACUTE
Acute - toxic dose is >200mg/kg (Lifethreatening >30g or >500mg/kg)
Chronic >3g/day
High Risk
* Chronic ETOH
* Anticonvulsants
* Phenobarbitol, carbamazepine
* phenytoin
* Starvation - poor glutathione stores
Complications
* GI
* Mild - N/V, RUQ pain
* Fulminant liver failure
* Renal failure
* Pancreatitis
* Metabolic (lactic) acidosis
Call Toxicologist if:
* Massive ingestions >50g or >1g/kg
* Serum paracetamol concentration versus the time more than 3 x level on nomogram
* Hepatotoxicity (AST/ALT > 1000U/L)
* Coma
* Lactic acidosis
* IV paracetamol dose errors
* Neonatal paracetamol poisoning
Management
* Supportive/ABCDEs
* AC - tablet only
* 2 hrs if >10g or 200mg/kg
* 4 hrs if >30g or 500mg/kg
*NAC
Dosing over 20 hours
4hrs : 200mg/kg in 5% dextrose 500ml (kids 7ml/kg)
16hrs : 100mg/kg in 5% dextrose 1L (kids 14ml/kg)
High dose if > 2 x treatment line on nomogram or massive ingestion
Discuss / Transfer to liver trasnplant facility
* INR >3.0 at 48 hours or >4.5 at any time
* Oliguria or creatinine >200micromol/L
* Acidosis with pH < 7.3 or lactate > 3 after resus
* SBP <80mmHg
* Hypoglycaemia
* Severe thrombocytopaenia
* Encephalopathy of any degree
* Altered level of consciousness with nil sedation / co-ingestion
Snake Bite - Toxinology
4 main types of toxin
- Neurotoxins
- Pre-synaptic
- Tiger and taipan
- Inhibit release of NT → progressive neuromuscular paralysis
- Not as amenable to antivenom
- Post-synaptic
- Death adder
- Rapid onset
- Non-depolarising block
- More readily reversible with anti-venom
- Usual pattern of both neurotoxins → cranial nerve involvement THEN limb muscle paralysis THEN resp muscle paralysis
- Myotoxins
- Rhabdo and its effects
- Haemotoxins
- Direct acting
Snake bite - clinical features
- Local + regional
- Pain, wound site, swelling
- Systemic
- Diaphoresis, headache, GIT Sx
- Sudden collapse / cardiac arrest
- Spont recovery in minutes
- Toxin syndromes
- Coagulopathy
- VICC
- Anti-coagulant coagulopathy
- Thrombotic microangiogrpahy
- Myotoxicity
- Myalgia, tenderness, weakness
- Elevated CK, K+, renal impairment
- Neurotoxicity
- Descending flaccid paralysis
- Eyes - ptosis, diplopia, blurred vision
- Bulbar palsy
- Limb
- Resp
- Renal Impairment
- Part of thrombotic microangiopathy, rarley secondary to rhabdomyolysis
- Coagulopathy
Snake bite - VICC vs Anticoagulant coagulopathy
VICC (like DIC)
Partial - Low fibrinogen, INR <3.0
Complete - undetectable fibrinogen, INR >3.0, +++ D-dimer
ACC
Moderate increase in aPTT and INR
Normal Fibrinogen, PLT and D-dimer
Response to antivenom - ACC easier to reverse
Thrombotic microangiopathy
Fragmented RBCs on blood film(MAHA)
Thrombocytpopaenia
Inc creatinine <120mmol/l
May lead to renal failure and HD
Snakes and envenomation syndromes
Snake Bite Mx
First Aid
Pressure bandage + Immobilisation
Take to facility with antivenom + 24h lab service
Initial Ix
- Clinical exam
- Iv access x 2
- Consider VDK
- Bloods - G+S, FBC, EUC, LFTS, coags inc Fibrinogen, CK
Ongoing Monitoring
- Features of envenomation or multiple bites or severe envenomation - give one vial of polyvalent or monovalent anti-venom
- If no features of envenomation clinically or on labs:
- Rpt clinical assessment
- Rpt bloods 1hr after removal of PIB
- 6 and 12 hours post bite, before considering discharge
-vast majority of cases of severe envenoming are likely to be detected with repeat assessment over 12 hours
Snake Bite Complications
Children - 1 tablet can kill
Early onset toxicity
- Calcium channel blockers / clonidine
- Amphetamines/ Ecstacy / ICE / Cocaine
- Na channel blockers - propanolol,
KILL
- TCA - amitriptyline, dothiepin
- Opioids / methadone
- Theophylline
- Sulphonlyureas
Others include:
* Benzodiazepines
* Olanzapine/clozapine
* Hydroxychloroquine
Delayed onset
- SR CCBs
- SR opioids/methadone
- Sulfonylureas
Children - 1 sip can kill
Toxic alcohols - EG, Methanol
Hydrocarbons
* Petrol, turpentine, kerosene
Essential oils - Eucalyptus, tea tree oils
Organophosphates
Carbamate insectcides
Paraquaat
Caustic - NaOH
Camphor - mothballs
Napthalene - mothballs
Strychnine - rat pesticide
Oil of wintergreen (1ml = 1.4g aspirin)
Hydrocarbons
Aliphatic - eucalyptus, essential oils
Aromatic - benzene, toluene
Halogenated - carbon tetrachloride, mehtylene chloride, chloroform
Alkane - propane, butane
Toxicity
Oral - GI irritation, high risk aspiration
Inhalation -
Dermal - dermatitis, chemical burns
Clinical features:
Resp - cough, inc RR, SOB, wheeze, low sats
Prolonged inhalation → asphyxia
CNS - euphoria, CNS depression, seizures
Renal - acute - HAGMA, chronic - RTA (NAGMA) and low K+
Hepatic - halogenated hydrocarbons
CVS - palpitations, Porlonged QT, arrhythmia, sudden sniffing death sydrome (rare)
Metabolic - toluene causes NAGMA (RTA), HAGMA, hypoK
Mx
Supportive
Decontaminate - remove clothing
Seizures - BZ
Aspiration pneumonitis - O2, bronchodilators, NIV or I+V
- No role for ABx or steroids
Cardiotoxicity - more likely with inhalation
- Prolonged QT - correct electrolyte disturbances
- Consider short active BB (esmolol or metoprolol) for refractory VT
- Cardiac arrest - adrenaline may worsen myocardial sensitisation
Hepatotoxicity
- NAC may be hepatoprotective - clove oil, halogentated hydrocarbons
Disposition
Normal CXR + Asx D/C after 6 hours
Consider MH assessment
Aspirin
Toxic dose
MILD 150-300mg/kg
Severe >300mg/kg
Death >500mg/kg
Clinical presentation:
* GI - N/V/dyspepsia (GI distress)
* Metabolic - resp alkalosis then met acidosis, hypoglycaemia, Hypokalaemia
* CNS - tinnitus, agiation, seizures, cerebral oedema
* Other - APO, renal failure, hepatic failure
Mx
1. Start urinary alkalinization
2. Correct hypovolemia
o Urine output 2-3 mL/kg/hr
3. Keep [K] >4.5 mM, correct any hypomagnesemia
- Correct electrolytes before bicarb or intubation
4. Give glucose for any CNS changes
5. Haemodialysis
Endpoints
Resolution of clinical features, acid base status, BSL and K+
Decreasing ASA levels - serial
Salicylate Sources
Topical
Oil of wintergreen
Willow Bark
Bismuth salicylate
Pathophysiology of salicylate toxicity
Uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
- Metabolic rate increase → metabolic acidosis
- Tissue glycolysis → hypoglycemia and ketosis
- NB Only un-ionized particles can cross the BBB and accumulate in the CNS and other tissues.
- Because salicylic acid has a pKa of 3.5, the majority of salicylate is ionized and unable to enter tissue at the physiologic pH of 7.4.
- However, as serum pH decreases, more particles become un-ionized and cross the BBB / enter tissues
Clinical manifestations
* Seizures, coma, death
* Cerebral oedema
* Neuroglycopaenia
* Direct nephrotoxicity
* Salicylate induced pulmonary oedema
* Tinnitus
Dialysis in Salicylate toxicity
- Serum salicylate levels:
o >7.2 mmol/L) in acute
o > 6.5 mmol/L + ARF
- Serum salicylate levels:
Severe toxicity:
* Altered mental status, including coma, seizure(s)
* Renal or hepatic failure
* Pulmonary oedema
* Severe acid-base imbalance (pH <7.2)
* Rapidly rising serum salicylate level
* Failure to respond to decontamination or urinary alkalinisation