Toxicology Flashcards
poisoning of what drug leads to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, increased levels of pyruvate and lactate as well as heat production?
aspirin
person in early stages of a drug toxicity presents with hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis. Later, an increased anion gap metabolic acidosis presents leading to a mixed response. What drug is the person on and what is causing the anion gap acidosis?
aspirin - krebs cycle is inhibited leading to an increase in glycogenolysis, gluconeogensis, lipolysis, and FA oxidation. Inc in FA oxidation leads to increased synthesis of ketone bodies responsible for inc anion gap
person presents with profound metabolic acidosis, seizures, and pulmonary edema leading to ARDS. They are also vomiting and are dehydrated. What toxicity is this?
very severe poisoning with apsirin
why do you see respiratory alkalosis in the initial stages of aspirin toxicity?
aspirin directly stimulates the respiratory center, leading to inc in resp. rate`
treatment for aspirin toxicity? mild/moderate/severe
mild: gastric lavage, activated charcoal and fluid replacement
moderate: sodium bicarb (alkalinizes the urine to promote aspirin excretion)
severe: hemodialysis
Patient has taken unknown drug in large doses, but is mostly asymptomatic with only mild GIT symptoms. 18 hours later he presents with fulminant liver failure, develops hepatic encephalopathy and dies. What did he take, what is the treatment and how does it work?
acetaminophen
antidote is N-acetylcysteine that increases glutathione production as well as directly detoxes NAPQI (metabolite of acetaminophen)
Patient presents with dilated pupils, sweaty skin, and tachycardia. What class of drug did he take?
amphetamine/stimulant
what is important to remember when treating tachyarrhythmias of amphetamine intox?
dont give beta blockers without alpha blockage first!
Get unopposed alpha-1 action (vasoconstriction) and BP elevates
Patient presents with flushed skin, hyperthermia, dry mucous membranes, blurred vision, pupillary dilation, delirium, and tachycardia. What drug(s) are they on?
anticholinergics (red as a beet, hot as a hare, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter)
How do you treat intox with anticholinergics? Under what condition should you NOT give this treatment? why?
physostigmine - don’t treat if TCA overdose - can aggravate cardiotoxicity and result in heart block
Patient presents with seizures, bradycardia, hypotension, hypoglycemia. What drug did they OD on?
Propranolol - most toxic B-blocker (if seizures then probably this one)
Patient presents with overdose of propranolol. How do you treat and why?
give IV glucagon (can inc cAMP in cardiac myocytes without the beta-receptor) - normal agents used to raise BP like B-agonists and atropine generally are ineffective
Patient presents with depressed sinus node automaticity and slow AV node conduction, along with reduced CO and BP. what did they overdose on? How do you treat?
calcium channel blockers - treat with IV calcium to restore depressed cardiac contractility
Overdose of this class of drugs leads to antimuscarinic effects, vasodilation, as well as slowed conduction in the heart and depressed cardiac contractility. What is this drug? How do you treat? what is important to remember?
TCAs - treat with Norepi for hypotension and sodium bicarb for cardiac toxicity
DON’T GIVE PHYSOSTIGMINE to overcome antimuscarinic effects!!!!!
Patient taking MAOIs presents with hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, myoclonus and hyperreflexia. What is the name of this condition? how do you treat it?
serotonin syndrome
give Cyproheptadine (5HT2 receptor antagonist) + benzos for seizures and agitation
Schizophrenic patient presents with muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, metabolic acidosis, and confusion. What drugs were they taking? Name of this condition? Treament?
antipsychotics leading to neuroleptic malignant syndrome
treat with Bromocriptine (antidote) and dantrolene (helps with profound muscle rigidity)
Patient presents with fever, encephalopathy, unstable vitals, elevated CPK, and rigid muscles. What drugs caused this?
antipsychotics - neuroleptic malignant syndrome
This is the mnemonic: FEVER (Fever, Encephalopathy, Vitals unstable, Elevated CPK, Rigid muscles)
Respiratory depression, apnea, and small pupils. Drug intox? treatment?
opiods!
Naloxone or Nalmefene
Patient on oral antidiabetic drugs presents with hypoglycemia. What two agents are most likely responsible? treatment?
sulfonylureas and meglitinides (secretagogues)
give concentrated glucose bolus - if that doesn’t work give IV octreotide (antagonizes insulin release) - Diazoxide is an alternative, does the same thing