Toxicology Flashcards
give two possible mechanisms for specific antidotes and their example
- binding of poisons- chelators
- inhibition of distribution -methemoglobin-producers in cyanide intoxication
- inhibition of the formation of toxic metabolites- ethanol
- promoters of detoxification- acetylcysteine
- competitive inhibitors- naloxone
- agents promote regeneration of target cells- cholinesterase inhibitors
what does ‘ABCDEF’ stand for in the management of a poisoned patient?
A- airway protection B- ventilation C- treatment of arrhythmias D- hemodynamic support E- treatment of seizures F-correction of temperature, metabolic abnormalities
types of decontamination
gastrointestinal
eye (for at least 20 min)
skin
body cavity evacuation
how do we perform whole bowel irrigation?
via gastric tube
6-8 liter of isosmotic physiological electrolyte solution (containing polyethylene glycol)
when do we not do a bowel surge (with sorbitol)?
in case of paralytic ileus
types of gastrointestinal decontamination
- induction of emesis
- gastric lavage
- whole bowel irrigation
- bowel purge
what do we use for induction of emesis?
syrup of ipecac
apomorphine (rarely)
which type of patients you should not induce emesis?
patients who are:
- unconscious
- poisoned with corrosive agents (acid,base)
- poisoned with petroleum distillate (risk of aspiration!)
- poisoned with convulsant
which type of patients you should not do gastric lavage?
- poisoned with corrosive agents (acid,base)
- poisoned with petroleum distillate (risk of aspiration!)
- poisoned with convulsant
what is the risk in forced diuresis?
risk of lung edema and electrolyte disturbance
what are the ways to eliminate poison through the GI?
- multiple-dose activated charcoal (“gut dialysis”)
2. cholestramine in digitalis intoxication (decreases the absorption
what are the ways to eliminate poison through the kidney?
- forced diuresis- loop diuretics, mannitol, infusion
2. alteration of urinary pH
which compounds easily removed by dialysis?
water-soluble, low molecular mass, don’t bind very strongly compounds
examples- alcohol, antibiotics, heavy metals, benzodiazepines
which compounds can be removed by hemoperfusion?
DOB
digoxin
organophosphates
barbiturates
complication in plasmapheresis
thrombocytopenia
microembolism
which compounds can be removed by plasmapheresis?
carbamazepine lithium methanol metformin phenobarbital theophylline
how do we perform neutralization?
- alkali -therapy ( 5% NaHCO₃, 2%Na lactate)
- specific antitoxins
- antibodies
what are chelators?
organic compounds that function as chemical antagonists and used for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning
how is Dimercaprol given?
always IM
how is Dimercaprol excreted?
by the kidney (6-8 hours)
what is the advantage of Dimercaprol?
good permeability
therapeutic indication of Dimercaprol
- arsenic poisoning
- mercury poisoning
- Lead Poisoning (with EDTA)
special indication for Dimercaprol
encephalopathy (can enter the neurons)
side effects of Dimercaprol
nausea, vomiting hypertension tachycardia fever, pain thrombocytopenia
therapeutic indication of succimer
arsenic poisoning
mercury poisoning
lead- but not with encephalopathy
side effects of succimer (DMSA) and unithiol (DMPS)?
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
better tolerated than dimercaprol
How is succimer and unithiol (DMPS) given?
orally
DMPS also parenteral
what is penicillamine used for?
Copper intoxication—>Willsons disease
Rheumatoid arthritis- not used anymore
adverse effects of penicillamine
hypersensitive reactions
long term treatment–> autoimmune reactions (drug-induced lupus, drug-induced hemolytic anemia)
B6 vitamin depletion
what is EDTA used for?
lead poisoning
* can remove lead from the bone
adverse effects of EDTA
Nephrotoxicity (rare)
what is deferoxamine used for?
iron poisoning
hemochromatosis
how is EDTA given?
slow IV infusion for 5 days
how is Deferoxamine given?
IV or IM
Adverse effects of Deferoxamine
idiosyncraic reactions
ARDS
neurotoxicity
route of absorption of Arsenic?
respiratory and GI tract
where can we find Arsenic?
industry, agriculture (insecticides), wood preservatives
pharmacodynamics of Arsenic
inhibition of enzymes via sulfhydryl binding
distribution of Arsenic
soft tissues- first of all, liver and kidney, later skin hair and nail
Clinical presentation of acute Arsenic poisoning?
gastroenteritis–>severe diarrhea “rice water stool”
hypovolemic shock
arrhythmias
CNS symptoms
weeks later: ascending peripheral neuropathy
months later: transverse white striate on the nails.
Clinical presentation of chronic Arsenic poisoning?
weakness
peripheral neuropathy (socking-glove pattern)
skin changes- hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation
anemia
general cachexia
treatment of acute Arsenic poisoning
gut decontamination
intensive supportive care- fluid electrolytes
Dimercaprol chelation
treatment of chronic Arsenic poisoning
Dimercaprol chelation
Mercury source of intoxication
elemental mercury- manufacture of electrical equipment, paint products
mercury salts- disinfectants
the major route of absorption of mercury
elemental mercury- respiratory tract (inhalation)
mercury salts- GI and skin
organic Hg- Gi, skin and respiratory tract
distribution of mercury
soft tissues. first the kidney
methylmercury reaches the brain
elimination of mercury by the…
kidney
Clinical presentation of acute Mercury poisoning?
elementary- pulmonary edema
salts-hemorrhagic gastroenteritis –> hypovolemic shock
acute tubular necrosis
Clinical presentation of chronic Mercury poisoning?
neuropsychiatric disturbance
acrodynia (in children)- painful erythema in the extremities
therapy of acute Mercury poisoning
supportive care
inhalation (elementary): succimer and dimercaprol chelation
“mer” in Mercury
therapy of chronic Mercury poisoning
succimer chelation
unithiol chelation
why we shouldn’t use dimercaprol in chronic mercury poisoning?
it redistributes mercury to the CNS!
what is Minama disease and what does it cause?
Methyl-mercury poisoning
mainly CNS effects-paraesthesia, ataxia, coma, death
prenatal exposure–> mental retardation
Lead source of intoxication
occupational environmental (batteries, paints, ceramics)
the major route of absorption of Lead
respiratory, GI, skin (organic)
*crosses the placenta
pharmacodynamics of lead
inhibits enzymes in porphyrine synthesis
interferes with the action of cations like Ca, Fe
alters the structure of membranes and receptors.
distribution of lead
first it binds to erythrocytes–>then soft tissues (liver &CNS) –> bones (can stay for 20 years in the bones)
elimination of Lead via the
kidney
Clinical presentation of acute Lead poisoning?
encephalopathy
acute abdominal pain (paralytic ileus)
hemolytic anemia
*rare
Clinical presentation of chronic Lead poisoning?
blood- anemia (microcytic), the appearance of basophilic stippling in the RBC (diagnostic clue)
GI - constipation, “gingival lead lines”
CNS- adults–> peripheral neuropathy- weakness of the extensors (wrist drop) . children–> minimal brain dysfunction
bones- children–> growth retardation (lead deposits in the epiphysis)
Treatment of acute Lead poisoning
supportive care
first dimercaprol and 4 hours later EDTA IV
Treatment of chronic Lead poisoning
EDTA IV infusion for 5 days, then PO succimer
*EDTA removes lead from the bones
major effects of organic lead (tetraethyl lead)
CNS effects
therapy of tetraethyl lead
decontamination from the skin
symptomatic treatment
chelators are not effective!
characteristics of carbon monoxide
colorless, odorless, no irritation
lighter than the air
pharmacodynamics of carbon monoxide
affinity to hemoglobin is 300 times stronger than oxygen
symptoms of acute carbon monoxide poisoning
<50%–> headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness
>50% –> increased respiration and pulse, seizures, coma
>60%–> respiratory failure, death
symptoms of chronic carbon monoxide poisoning
headache, ataxia, insomnia, Parkinson- like symptoms
therapy of carbon monoxide poisoning
100% oxygen or
carbogen mix- 95 % O₂, 5% CO₂
or hyperbaric oxygen??
for brain edema- glucocorticoids, mannitol
acidosis- alkali therapy