Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Fentanyl, W-18, Clandestine (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/4/2016 by Kathy Prybys, MD
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Pure opioid agonists such as Morphine, Hydromorphone, and Fentanyl stimulate opioid receptors and are the most potent analgesics. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues are up to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30-50 times more powerful than heroin.
W-18 is a highly potent opioid agonist with a distinctive chemical structure which is not closely related to older established families of opioid drugs. While Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more powerful than Morphine, W-18 is about 100 times more powerful than Fentanyl.
Increases in Drug and OpioidOerdose Deaths-United States. 2000-2014. Rudd RA, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Jan 1;64(50-51):1378-82.
Increases in fentanyl drug confiscations and fentanyl-related overdose fatalities. CDC. HAN Health Advisory. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2015.
W-18, a synthetic opiate 100 times more potent than fentanyl. The Poison Review February 2016
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Activated Charcoal, Gastric decontamination, Antidote (PubMed Search)
Posted: 2/4/2016 by Kathy Prybys, MD
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Throughout medical history one of the basic tenets of poisoning therapy is to remove the poison from the patient. For hundreds of years, gastric decontamination has been the cornerstone treatment for acute poisonings by ingestion. This commonsense approach endeavors to remove as much of the the ingested toxin as possible before systemic absorption and organ toxicity occurs. Multiple GI decontamination methods have been utilized including gastric emptying by lavage and ipecac, toxin binding by activated charcoal, and increasing GI transit time with cathartics and bowel irrigation. Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of GI decontamination including measurement of amount of toxin removed by gastric retrieval, reduction of bioavailability by measuring blood levels, and finally comparison of clinical outcomes of patients treated with and without GI decontamination. Controlled studies have failed to show conclusive evidence of benefit and have even demonstrated resultant harm especially with use of gastric lavage. Activated charcoal has a tremendous surface area capable of binding many substances. Although viewed as relatively safe it does have risks in certain subsets of patients, pulmonary aspiration the most common, and is no longer routinely recommended.
Considerations for use of Activated charcoal (AC) use in acutely poisoned patients:
The decision to use activated charcoal is no longer standard of care but should be individualized to each clinical situation weighing the risk versus clinical benefits.
Olson KR. Activated Charcoal for Acute Poisoning: One Toxicologist’s Journey. J Med Toxicol 2010;6:190-198. Activated charcoal for acute overdose: a reappraisal.
Juurlink D. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2015 Sep 26
Chyka PA, Seger D, Krenzelok EP, Vale JA. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. Position paper: single-dose activated charcoal. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2005;43(2):61–87.
Lapus RM, Activated charcoal for pediatric poisonings: the universal antidote? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2007;19:219-222.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Caffeine, Energy drinks (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/7/2016 by Kathy Prybys, MD
(Emailed: 1/8/2016)
(Updated: 1/8/2016)
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Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world. It is widely available in coffee, tea, chocolate,soft drinks, OTC medicines, and energy drinks. The vast majority of people consuming caffeine appear to suffer no harm while enjoying it's stimulating effects. This has led to the widely held perspective that caffeine is a completely benign substance with no adverse health effects exists.
Although, children and adolescents are at particular risk, many caffeine containing products are specifically marketed at them. Alarmingly, statistics demonstrate that caffeine intake among children and adolescents has increased by 70% in the last 30 years. Energy drinks are of special concern as they represent the fastest growing component of the beverage industry, contain significant quantities of caffeine as well as high levels of sugar, and can place children at high risk for caffeine intoxication.
There are many negative health consequences documented with caffeine use which occur in a dose dependent manner with individuals differing in their susceptibility to caffeine-related adverse effects:
Chronic Effects:
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: CO, Carbon Monoxide Detector (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/3/2015 by Kathy Prybys, MD
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion in fuel-burning devices and is a leading cause of poisoning morbidity and mortality.
Symptoms can be easily misinterpreted (e.g., headache, nausea, dizziness, or confusion) thus victims may not realize they are being poisoned.
CO detectors use an audible alarm and are effective in alerting potential victims of presence of CO. Some versions offer a digital readout of the CO concentration. Detectors are not a simple alarm level (as in smoke detectors) but are a concentration-time function.
In the UL 2034 Standard, Underwriters Laboratories specifies response times for CO alarms:
Current Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit for CO is 50 parts per million as an 8-hour time-weighted average concentration.
CO detectors have a limited lifespan of up to 7 years.
Forty percent of residential detectors studied failed to alarm in hazardous concentrations, despite outward indications that they were operating as intended.
CO detectors 10 years and older had the highest failure rates.
Night of sirens: analysis of carbon monoxide-detector experience in suburban Chicago. Bizovi KE, Leikin JB, Hryhorczuk DO, Frateschi LJ. Ann Emerg Med. 1998;31(6):737 740.
Residential carbon monoxide detector failure rates in the United States. Ryan TJ, Arnold KJ. Am J Public Health. 2011 Oct;101(10):e15-7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300274. Epub 2011 Aug 18.
Deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoningand potential for prevention with carbon monoxide detectors. Yoon SS, Macdonald SC, Parrish RG. JAMA. 1998 Mar 4;279(9):685-7.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: THC, Spice, JWH (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/5/2015 by Kathy Prybys, MD
(Emailed: 11/6/2015)
(Updated: 11/6/2015)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, MD
Designer drugs are structural or functional analogs of controlled substances produced to mimic pharmacological effects of the original compound while circumventing legal restrictions and detection on drug screens. Considered "legal highs" by the public, these highly potent drugs are produced in clandestine laboratories with no regulations for quality control or clinical testing for phamacological effects and thus present major threat to public health. Examples include synthetic hallucinogens (DOM: STP), opiates ( methylfentanyl:china white), stimulants (methamphetamine:crank, MDMA: ecstasy, cathinones:bath salts) and synthetic cannabinoids (spice).
The synthetic cannabinoids are the newest designer drugs and numerous cases of intoxication are being reported including some fatalties.Cannabinoids fall into 3 classes: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, synthetic. Marijuana, the best known cannabinoid is plant derived and its psychoactive effects are mainly due to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which binds with the endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 found throughout the central and peripheral nervous system and peripheral organs. The CB receptors interact with opiate receptors which is likely responsible for the analgesic effect.
Since 1984, the John Huffman research group at Clemenson University synthesized over 450 cannabinoid compounds for biomedical reseach known as "JWH compounds". These compounds hold great promise in the investigation of multiple diseases and development of new novel therapies. Over the last several years, these cannabinoid compounds began cropping up sprayed onto herbs marketed in colorful packets and sold on the internet, convienence stores, and head shops. Although clearly labeled as "not for human consumption" considered on the street as a legal alternative to marijuana.
Key Points:
Seely KA, Lapoint , et al. Spice drugs are more than harmless herbal blends: a review of pharmacology and toxicology of synthetic cannabinoids. Progress in Neuropharmacology & Biological Psychiatry (2012), doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.04.017
Wiley JL. Marusich JA. et al. Hijacking of basic research: the case of synthetic cannabinoids. Methods Rep RTI Press. 2011 November; 2011; .doi: 10.3768/rtipress.2011.op.0007.1111
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Odansetron, Zofran (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/2/2015 by Kathy Prybys, MD
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Category: Toxicology
Posted: 8/6/2015 by Kathy Prybys, MD
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Poison ivy, oak, and sumac (Toxicodendron sp) causes a highly puritic, allergic contact dermatitits (ACD) that affects between 10 and 50 million in the US every year. It is a significant occupational hazard as well a scourge for outdoor enthusiasts.
Toxicodendron species contain oleoresins, known as Urushiol compound, secreted by all parts of the plant. Contact with the oil usually occurs by brushing against or direct handling of the plant or contaminated items. This toxin triggers a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction in approximately 75% of the population. Within 12-24 hours an erythematous, often linear, vesicular rash develops but new lesions can occur up to 2 weeks later.
There is no ideal treatment for ACD induced by Toxicodendron species. Avoidance and barrier protection are the best strategies. Recommended medications include antihistamines, topical preparations, and systemic steroids. However, steroids require a 2-3 week course to prevent recrudescence of the rash and are not without undesirable side affects.
Zanfel, an OTC granular polyethlene paste, removes urushiol by binding with it to create an aggregate cluster that can be washed away with water. It is highly effective, providing rapid relief even as a sole agent but requires multiple initial applications and is expensive. Mean Green hand scrub has similar ingredients and is claimed to bond urushiol also. Excessive scrathing and abrasive scrubs can cause secondary cellulitis requiring antibiotics.
Category: Toxicology
Posted: 9/5/2019 by Kathy Prybys, MD
(Emailed: 10/10/2024)
(Updated: 10/10/2024)
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A 3 year old is bitten by a spider on his right ear which is causing him intense pain, tachycardia, and muscle cramping. Identify the spider. What is the treatment?