Toxicology Flashcards
What are your options regarding the specific management of intoxicants
1) Decrease the absorption of the intoxicant
2) Increase the elimination of the intoxicant
3) Use a specific antagonist/ antidote
Provided that some of the toxicant stays in the GI tract to be absorbed, what could the physician administer?
Activated Charcoal…absorbs the toxin and is then excreted in the feces
What is essential when administering charcoal for toxicity?
Airway protection
The greatest benefit of charcoal is within how long of ingestion
1 hr…..and don’t give it unless the pt has protected airways
Syrup of Ipecac most likely useless after how long?
30 minutes
Hemodialysis can be effective if the toxin has what:
- Water solubility
- Low volume of distribution
- Low Molecular Wt Molecular Wt under 500 Da
- Low Plasma Protein Binding
Useful for methanol, ethylene glycol, salicyclates, lithium, sotalol
Hemoperfusion can be used in place of hemodialysis when?
When there is a high degree of plasma protein binding.
Phenobarbital, carbamezapine, theophyline
What are some of the sympathomimetics
- Cocaine, amphetamine, Methamphetamine, caffeine, theophyline …..so mostly stimulants
Treatment of sympathomimetic overdose
- Phentolamine, nitrates, or calcium channel blockers for HTN
- Benzos for agitation
Top three causes of toxicity causing arrhythmias
1) Amphetamines
2) TCAs
4) Digitalis
Most potent Beta Blocker
Propanolol
Beta Blocker toxicity treatment
Glucagon
Alternative to glucagon as treatment for Beta Blocker Toxicity?
High-dose insulin along with glucose suplementation
Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity
- Charcoal if it hasn’t been very long
- Treat the hypotension and bradycardia with Calcium chloride or calcium gluconate.
- Give epinephrine and gluconate
Realize that Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers also lead to hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and acidosis by blocking specific channels in the pancreas.
The administration of Insulin may reverse this.
Isoniazid produces acute brain toxicity how?
Reduces the amount of brain P5P….Results in low levels of CNS GABA which leads to seizures
Treatment of Isoniazid induced seizures
Pyridoxine and a beno if necessary
Acetaminophen and Aspirin (salicilate) poisoning
Phase 1- 30 min -4 hrs: anorexia, pallor, N/V, diaphoresis
Phase II (24-48 hrs)- Symptoms less severe, potential right upper quad pain. liver enzymes become abnormal
Phase III (3-5 days)- hepatic necrosis, jaundince, coag defects, death due to renal failure
Phase IV- 4 days to 2 weeks- death or resolution
Antidote for acetaminophen od
N-Acetylecysteine (replenishes the glutathione)
Antidote for Salicylates
NaHCO3 (alkalinize urine)
Also give glucose containing fluids to reduce the risk of cerebral hypoglycemia.
What do Salicylates do that cause harm?
- Uncouple cellular oxidative phosphorylation which leads to acidosis and excess heat
- Stimulate respiratory center in brainstem which leads to tachypnea
- You see metablic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis
High Anion Gap Acidosis produced by what drugs
MUDPILES CAT
Methanol or Metformin Uremia DKA P Iron, INH, Ibuprofen Lactic Acidosis Ethylene Glycol Salicylates Cyanide Alcohol or acids Toluene or Theophyline
Serotonin syndrome antidote
Cyproheptadine