Category: Toxicology
Keywords: drugs of abuse, street name (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/5/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Emailed: 6/15/2017)
(Updated: 6/15/2017)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Street names for illicit substance are diverse and unique. Knowing what your patient used prior to ED presentation can help with the management of their intoxication.
DEA recently released 7 page list of common street names for drugs of abuse.
https://ndews.umd.edu/sites/ndews.umd.edu/files/dea-drug-slang-code-words-may2017.pdf
But keep in mind that what our patients purchase and use may not actually contain the drug that they intended to purchase (e.g. fentanyl being sold as heroin).
dea-drug-slang-code-words-may2017.pdf (2,993 Kb)
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: foodborne botulism (PubMed Search)
Posted: 5/25/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Botulism is a rare neurologic condition characterized by GI symptoms that progressed to cranial nerve dysfunction and symmetric descending paralysis. Foodborne botulism is due to ingestion of botulinum toxin that is produced by clostridium botulinum, an ubiquitous bacterium in our environment.
Bottom line:
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
CDC Emergency Operations Center: 770-488-7100
Foodborne botulism is characterized by
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Dextromethorphan, Robotripping (PubMed Search)
Posted: 4/20/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
(Emailed: 4/27/2017)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Dextromethorphan Abuse in Adolescence. Bryner JK, Wang K, et al. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2006;160(12):1217-1222. doi:10.1001/archpedi.160.12.1217.
Dextromethorphan abuse. Antoniou T, Juurlink DN. CMAJ?: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2014;186(16):E631. doi:10.1503/cmaj.131676.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: lactic acidosis (PubMed Search)
Posted: 4/20/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Updated: 5/29/2023)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Lactic acids are often elevated in critical care patients (e.g. septic shock). It can be also elevated in setting of drug overdose or less frequently in therapeutic use due to interference of oxidative phosphorylation. Some of the agents include:
Bottom line:
Kraut JA, Madias NE. Lactic acidosis, N Engl J Med 2014;371:2309-19.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate (PubMed Search)
Posted: 4/6/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Updated: 5/29/2023)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
FDA announced a shortage of sodium bicarbonate on 3/01/17. Sodium bicarbonate is frequently used in acid-base disorder as well as in poisoning (cardiac toxicity from Na-channel blockade, e.g. TCA & bupropion, and salicylate poisoning).
Acetate is a conjugate base of acetic acid where acetate anion forms acetyl CoA and enters Kreb cycle after IV administration. Final metabolic products of acetate are CO2 and H2O, which are in equilibrium with bicarbonate via carbonic anhydrase activity.
Administration of sodium acetate increases the strong ion difference by net increase in cations, as acetate is metabolize, and leads to alkalemia.
Adverse events from sodium acetate infusion have been associated with its use as dialysate buffer: myocardial depression, hypotension, hypopnea leading to hypoxemia and hyperpyrexia. However, such adverse events have not been reported in toxicologic application.
Bottom line:
Sodium acetate can be administered safely in place of sodium bicarbonate if sodium bicarbonate is not available due to shortage.
Sodium acetate dose:
Neavyn MJ, Boyer EW, Bird SB, et al. Sodium acetate as a replacement for sodium bicarbonate in medical toxicology: a review. J Med Toxicol 2013;9:250-254.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Pediatric poisoning, household , fatalities (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/30/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Children less than 5 years of age account for the majority of poisoning exposures in the United States. As expected, accessible household items are the most frequently reported exposures and include cosmetics and personal care products, household cleaning substances, medications, and foreign bodies. Opioids are responsible for the highest incidence of hospitalizations followed by benzodiazepines, sulfonylureas, and cardiovascular drugs (beta & calcium channel blockers, and centrally acting antiadrenergic agents). Rise in buprenorphine use has led to significant increases in pediatric exposures. The most common sources of prescription medications were pills found on the ground, in a purse or bag, night stand, or pillbox. The 2015 American Association of Poison Centers Annual report lists 28 fatalities in children less than 5 year of age. Fatalities occurred from exposures to the following: narcotics (9), disc and button batteries (5), carbon monoxide (4), and other substances (10).
Highlighted AAPC cases include:
Poison prevention education of patients prescribed opioids or other highly toxic "one pill killers" who have young children in their household is recommended and could be potentially life saving.
2015 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Centers' National Poison Data System: 33rd Annual Report. Mowrey JB, et al. Clinical Toxicology, 54:10.924-1109.
Emergency Hospitalizations for Unsupervised Prescription Medication Ingestions by Young Children, Lovegrove MC, et al. Pediatrics. 2014,134 (4) e1009-e1016 .
The Underrecognized Toll of Prescription Opioid Abuse on Young Children. Bailey JE, et al. Ann of Emerg Med. April 2009:53(4): 419-24. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2008.07.015.Epub 2008 Sep 6.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: adult clonidine overdose (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/16/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Emailed: 3/24/2017)
(Updated: 5/29/2023)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Clinical signs and symptoms of clonidine overdose include CNS depression, bradycardia, and miosis. Other effects include early hypertension, followed by hypotension and respiratory depression, especially in children.
Although clonidine overdose in children is well described, frequency of clinical signs/symptoms in adults is not well characterized.
Recently, a retrospective study was performed in a hospital in Australia looking at clonidine overdose in adults.
Among isolated clonidine overdose, patients experienced:
Bottom line:
Isbister GK et al. Adult clonidine overdose: prolonged bradycarida and central nervous system depression, but not severe toxicity. Clin Toxicol 2017;55:187-192.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Dilantin, Ataxia (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/16/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Phenytoin is a first line anticonvulsant agent for most seizure disorders with the exception of absence and toxin-induced seizures. It has erratic gastrointestinal absorption with peak serum levels occurring anywhere from 3-12 hours following a single oral dose. 90% of circulating phenytoin is bound to albumin but only the unbound free fraction is active to cross cell membranes and exert pharmacological effect. Measured serum phenytoin levels reflect the total serum concentration of both the free and protein bound portions. Therapeutic range is between 10-20 mg/L. Free phenytoin levels are not often measured but are normally between 1-2 mg/L. Individuals with decreased protein binding (elderly, malnourished, hypoalbuminemia, uremia, and competing drugs) may have clincial toxicity despite a normal total phenytoin level. Toxicity consists of predominantly ocular and neurologic manifestations involving the vestibular and cerebellar systems:
Plasma level, µg/mL | Clinical manifestations |
<10 | Usually none |
10-20 | Occasional mild nystagmus |
20-30 | Nystagmus |
30-40 | Ataxia, slurred speech, extrapyramindal effects |
40-50 | Lethargy, confusion |
>50 | Coma, rare seizures |
Treatment of overdose is primarily supportive with serial drug level testing and neurologic exams. There is no evidence that gastrointestinal decontamination improves outcome. Routine cardiac monitoring is not necessary for overdose following oral ingestions. Cardiac toxicity is rarely seen and only with parenteral administration.
Phenytoin posisoning. Craig S. Neurocrit Care. 2005;3(2): 161-70.
Severe oral phenytoin overdose does not cause cardiovascular morbidity. Wyte CD, et al. Annals of EM. 1997; 20(5). 508-512.
Cardiac Monitoring after phenytoin overdose. Evers M, et al. Heart & Lung. 1997; 26:325-328.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: EDS, Excited Delirium (PubMed Search)
Posted: 3/2/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
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Excited delirium syndrome (EDS) is a life-threatening condition caused by a variety of factors including drug intoxication. EDS is defined as altered mental status, hyperadrenergic state, and combativeness or aggressiveness. It is characterized by tolerance to significant pain, tachypnea, diaphoresis, severe agitation, hyperthermia, non-compliance or poor awareness to direction from police or medical personnel, lack of fatigue, superhuman strength, and inappropriate clothing for the current environment. These patients are at high risk for sudden death. Toxins associated with this syndrome include:
Ketamine at 4mg/kg dose can be given by intramuscular route and has been demonstrated to be safe and effective treatment for EDS.
Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About Synthetic Cannabinoids: Not So Nice Spice Kemp, Ann M. et al. The American Journal of Medicine , Volume 129 , Issue 3 , 240 - 244.
Synthetic cannabinoid drug use as a cause or contributory cause of death. Labay, LM. et al. Forensic Science International , Volume 260 , 31 - 39.
Sudden Death Due To Acute Cocaine Toxicity—Excited Delirium in a Body Packer. Sheilds, LB, Rolf CM, et al. J Forensic Sci, 2015. 60: 1647–1651.
Excited Delirium and Sudden Death: A Syndromal Disorder at the Extreme End of the Neuropsychiatric Continuum. Mash, DC.Frontiers in Physiology. 2016; 7:435.
Prehospital Ketamine is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Excited Delirium in a Community Hospital Based EMS System, Scaggs, TR, Glass, DM, et al. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. 2016 31(5), 563–569.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Buprenorphine, Suboxone (PubMed Search)
Posted: 2/16/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
The current opioid epidemic is considered the worst drug crisis in American history responsible for 50,000 deaths per year in the US from overdose of heroin and opioid prescription drugs. A 200% increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids occurred between 2000 and 2014. The continued rise in opioid related deaths calls for an urgent need for treatment. Three types of medication-assisted therapies (MATs) are available for treating patients with opioid addiction:methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Suboxone a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, is emerging as one of the best choices for the following reasons:
Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increase in Drug and Opioid-involved Overose Deaths -Unted States, 2010-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 16 December 2016.
Jones HE. Practical Considerations for the Clinical Use of Buprenorphine. Science & Practice Perspectives. 2004;2(2):4-20.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: methadone overdose, hypoglycemia (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/26/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Methadone overdose produces classic signs and symptoms of opioid intoxication - CNS and respiratory depression with pinpoint pupils. However, methadone overdose has also been associated with hypoglycemia – a relatively uncommon adverse effect.
Bottom line:
Several case reports have been published over the past years. Recently, a case of refractory hypoglycemia was reported in a woman, without a history of diabetes, after ingesting 250 mL of methadone (18.2 mg/kg).
She required, in additional to naloxone infusion for respiratory depression, dextrose infusion (initially D10 then D20) for 54 hours.
Incidence of hypoglycemia has also been observed in patient with rapid methadone dose escalation as well as in cancer patient who were started on methadone for pain control with dose-depedent association.
In a mice study, methadone induced a dose dependent hypoglycemia - 20 mg/kg methadone resulted in decrease in average glucose level of 172 +/- 7 mg/dL to 55 +/- 6 mg/dL. This effect was reversed by naloxone administration. morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone and levorphanol did not produce hypoglycemia.
However, in the case report published in Clinical Toxicology Nov 2016, naloxone infusion did not effect the hypoglycemia.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Urine Drug Sreen (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/19/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
(Emailed: 1/20/2017)
(Updated: 1/20/2017)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Urine drug screens are most commonly performed by immunoassay technology utilizing monoclonal antibodies that recognizes a structural feature of a drug or its metabolites. They are simple to perform. provide rapid screening, and qualitative results on up to 10 distinct drug classes with good sensitivity but imperfect specificity. This can lead to false positive results and the need for confirmatory testing. UDS does not detect synthetic opiates or cannabinoids, bath salts (synthetic cathinones), and gamma-hydroybutyrate. Most common drug classes detected are the following:
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: salicylate poisoning (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/13/2017 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Updated: 5/29/2023)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
A small retrospective study of an acute poisoning cohort attempted to identify risk factors for severe outcome in salicylate poisoning.
Severe outcomes were defined as
A multivariate analysis of 48 patients showed that older age and increased respiratory rate were independent predictors of severe outcomes when adjusted for salicylate level.
Initial salicylate acid level was not predictive of severe outcome.
Elevated lactic acid level was also a good predictor of severe outcome in univariate analysis but not in multivariate analysis.
Limitations
Bottom line
Shively RM et al. Acute salicylate poisoning: risk factors for sever outcome. Clin Toxicol 2017 Jan 9:1-6. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2016.1271127. [Epub ahead of print]
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Lactic acidosis (PubMed Search)
Posted: 1/5/2017 by Kathy Prybys, DO
(Emailed: 1/6/2017)
(Updated: 1/6/2017)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Lactic acidosis is the most common cause of anion gap metabolic acidosis in all hospitalized patients. An elevated lactate level is an important marker of inadequate tissue perfusion causing subsequent shift to anaerobic metabolism and occuring in a variety of disease states such as sepsis. In patients with unexplained lactic acidosis without systemic hyoperfusion or seizure suspect the following toxins:
Understanding lactic acidosis in paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning. Shah, AD, Wood DM, et al. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2011.71: 20–28.
Value of lactic acidosis in the assessment of the severity of acute cyanide poisoning. Baud FJ, et al. Crit Care Med. 2002;30(9):2044-50.
The Importance of the osmolality gap in ethylene glycol intoxication. Oostvogels R, et al. BMJ 2013 Dec 7;347:31-33.
Can Acute overdose metformin lead to lactic acidosis? Wilis BK, et al. Amer J Emerg Med. 2010;28:857.
Bench to bedside review: Severe lactic acidosis in HIV patients treated with nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Classens Y-E, et al. Critical Care. 2003;7(3):226-232.
A case of Kombucha Teas Toxicity. Kole A SH, Jones HD, et al. J Intensive care Med.2009:24(3) 205-7.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: cyanide toxicity, lactic acid (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/29/2016 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Emailed: 12/30/2016)
(Updated: 12/30/2016)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Smoke inhalation victims (house fires) are at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) and cyanide poisoning (CN). CO exposure/poisoning can be readily evaluated by CO - Oximetry but CN level can be obtained in majority of the hospital.
Lactic acid level is often sent to evaluate for CN poisoning.
Bottom line:
In a manuscript published in 1991, N Engl J Med by Dr. FJ Baud is the source of this data.
CN blood levels were measured in 109 residetial fire victims in France prior to any treatment was initiated.
Baud FJ et al. Elevated blood cyanide concentrations in victims of smoke inhalation. N Engl J Med 1991;325:1761-6.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Acetaminophen, Liver Failure (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/16/2016 by Kathy Prybys, DO
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Acetaminophen is one of the most common pharmaceutical ingestions in overdose and a leading cause of acute of liver failure in the U.S. Early recognition and treatment is critical for prevention of morbidity.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: acetaminophen overdose, APAP levels (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/8/2016 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Updated: 12/9/2016)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Recent study evaluated whether an acetaminophen (APAP) level obtained less than 4-hour post acute ingestion can predict which patient would not require n-acetylcysteine (NAC). APAP cutoff level of 100 ug/mL was used for analysis. This was a secondary analysis of the Canadian Acetaminophen Overdose Study database (retrospective study).
Bottom line:
Table 2. Diagnostic accuracy of acetaminophen concentration obtained 2 to 4 hours post-ingestion to identify subsequent potentially toxic concentration measured 4 to 20 hours pos-ingestion.
| Subsequent 4-hour equivalent [APAP] | |
[APAP] obtained 2 to 4 hours post-ingestion | >150 ug/mL | < 150 ug/mL |
<10 | 0 | 89 |
10-20 | 2 | 79 |
20-50 | 6 | 209 |
50-100 | 19 | 249 |
100-150 | 46 | 253 |
150-200 | 161 | 195 |
200-300 | 276 | 46 |
300-450 | 148 | 5 |
>450 | 38 | 0 |
Yarema MC, et al. Can a serum acetaminophen concentration obtained less than 4 hours post-ingestion determine which patients do not rquire treatment with acetylcysteine? Clin Toxicol 2016; online early: doi: 10.1080/15563650.2016.1247959
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Drug Allergy, ADR, ADE (PubMed Search)
Posted: 12/1/2016 by Kathy Prybys, DO
(Emailed: 12/2/2016)
(Updated: 12/2/2016)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, DO
Misclassification of adverse drug effects as allergy is commonly encountered in clinical practice and can lead to use of suboptimal alternate medications which are often less effective.
DRUGS FREQUENTLY IMPLICATED IN ALLERGIC DRUG REACTIONS | ||
Aspirin (other analgesics-antipyretics) | Sedative-hypnotics | Iodinated contrast media |
Understanding adverse drug reactions and drug allergies: principles, diagnosis and treatment aspects. Pourpak Z, et al. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2008 Jan;2(1):24-46.
Drug Allergy: An Updated Practice Parameter. Joint Task Force. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Vol 105 ctober , 2010.
Antibiotic allergies in the medical record: effect on drug selection and assessment of validity. Lutomski,DM. Pharmacotherapy. 2008 Nov;28(11) 1348-53.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: heroin overdose, observation period, bystander naloxone (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/16/2016 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Emailed: 11/17/2016)
(Updated: 11/17/2016)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Recently a review paper was published regarding the duration of observation in heroin overdose patients who received naloxone.
It made several conclusions regarding heroin overdose:
It should be pointed out that this is a review paper of limited number of articles with variable quality. Additionally, the clinical history of “heroin use” may be unreliable as fentanyl and novel synthetic opioids are also sold as “heroin.” Providers should exercise appropriate clinical judgement when caring for these patients.
The paper attempted to answer following questions
Review conclusion (8 articles): Patients were safe to release if they had normal mentation and vital signs. Mortality from recurrent heroin toxicity was 0.13% - 0.49% within 24 to 48 hours after naloxone administration.
Review conclusion (5 articles): Wide range of observation period is reported. One study showed that 1-hour observation is sufficient when patients have normal ambulation, normal vital signs and GCS of 15 after 1-hour observation.
Review conclusion (15 articles): Rate of successful reversal ranged from 83% to 100% in the literature. Bystander and first responder naloxone administration is associated with minimum risk outside of mild opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The conclusion of this review paper only applies to heroin intoxication, a short-acting opioid. However, it can be difficult to discern clinically what type of opioid is causing the clinical toxicity as “heroin” may actually be other opioids such as fentanyl or other novel synthetic opioids (e.g. U-47700).
Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2016 Nov 16:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]
Do heroin overdose patients require observation after receiving naloxone?
Willman MW1, Liss DB1, Schwarz ES1, Mullins ME1.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: buprenorphine exposure, pediatrics, retrospective study (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/26/2016 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
(Emailed: 10/27/2016)
Click here to contact Hong Kim, MD, MPH
Recently, a retrospective study of unintentional buprenorphine/naloxone exposure among pediatric population was published. All patients were evaluated by toxicologists at the time of initial hospital presentation (or transfer) at the study center.
Bottom line
A retrospective study of single center/referral center’s toxicology consultation service.
88 patients were included. (median age: 24 months [range: 10 to 77 months]). Majority were transferred from other hospitals.
Sources of the medication were
Clinical effects
Naloxone
The median hospital stay was 22 hours (7 - 248 hours).