Poison Alerts

Two million Americans have Opioid Use Disorder (DSM-V), showing a pattern of opioid use leading to problems or distress. One distinguishing characteristic is experiencing withdrawal and taking opioids (or a closely related substance) to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.  Another is craving – the intense desire for repeated opioid use.  …

Does anything surprise us anymore?– Yes, even the over-the-counter antidiarrheal drug, loperamide (Imodium), can be abused.  It is a legal, inexpensive, and accessible alternative for someone with opioid use disorder, or merely curious about the pleasurable effects of opioids.  It is also used for self-treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms, giving …

QUICK FACTS Sodium bicarbonate has been touted as a home-remedy detox to pass a drug test. A quick internet search of “baking soda to pass drug test” yields >1 million search results. Sodium bicarbonate plus gastric acid releases carbon dioxide. Doses suggested on the internet for detox are not safe. …

QUICK FACTS Baclofen reduces muscle tone and spasticity. It has a delayed peak and prolonged half-life in overdose. Deep coma with absent brain stem reflexes may mimic brain death in overdose. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, there is no antidote. Baclofen controls muscle spasticity in conditions such as multiple sclerosis …

QUICK FACTS Venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine can cause delayed onset seizures. There is also a risk of serotonin toxicity in overdose. There are active metabolites, so symptoms can be prolonged. Benzodiazepines are the first line treatment to manage seizures. Venlafaxine (Effexor®) is a popular medication used to treat numerous conditions such …

QUICK FACTS The QT interval predominately represents ventricular repolarization, as well as the much-shorter depolarization (QRS wave.) The primary concern regarding a prolonged QT interval is the potential risk for the rare life-threatening arrhythmia, Torsades de Pointes. The QT nomogram assesses the actual QT interval versus the heart rate from …

Acetaminophen (APAP) is an OTC analgesic/antipyretic found in most medicine cabinets. It is available as a single ingredient or formulated with other OTC or prescription medications. Overdose with APAP is one of the most common poisonings in the US. The FDA-approved 21-hour, three-bag protocol for IV NAC administration is effective; however, there is substantial risk for dosing and administration errors.