Clinical toxicology : the official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Mar 2014
Trend analysis of anonymised pooled urine from portable street urinals in central London identifies variation in the use of novel psychoactive substances.
There is increasing interest in the analysis of waste water at sewage treatment plants to monitor recreational drug use. This technique is limited for novel psychoactive substances (NPS) due to limited knowledge on their human and bacterial metabolism and stability in waste water. Small studies have reported the detection of NPS using pooled anonymous urine samples, which eliminates some of these potential confounders. ⋯ This study demonstrates that analysis of anonymous pooled urine samples from stand-alone urinals can be used to detect and monitor trends in the use of classical recreational drugs and NPS in a large city centre over time. This technique has the potential to be a novel key indicator alongside other existing indicators to provide a more robust picture of the use of recreational drugs including NPS.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Mar 2014
A retrospective review of isolated gliptin-exposure cases reported to a state poison control system.
The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors sitagliptin, saxagliptin, and linagliptin are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Given the limited published information regarding human overdoses to these medications, our goal was to characterize such exposures. ⋯ The majority of gliptin-exposed adult and pediatric/adolescent patients were safely managed at home and when evaluated in a healthcare facility, did not require hospitalization. Intentional self-harm-adult gliptin exposures were managed in a healthcare facility but rarely resulted in hospitalization or serious morbidity at doses up to 18 times the adult therapeutic dose. Additional studies are necessary to determine precise triage guidelines for the management of gliptin overdose.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Mar 2014
Pediatric ergot alkaloid exposures reported to the California Poison Control System: 1997-2008.
The risk of toxicity from exposure to ergot alkaloid-containing medications in children is uncertain. Due to the alarming historical experience with severe toxicity and the syndrome of ergotism from natural and synthetic ergot alkaloids, triage recommendations for pediatric exposures to medicinal agents containing ergot alkaloids may be inappropriate and inconsistent. ⋯ Pediatric ergot exposures were associated with few transient adverse effects but multiple hospitalizations. Rare cases of significant toxicity associated with methylergonovine exposures were found. Current poison control send-in protocols and emergency department (ED) guidelines should consider home management and short ED stays as opposed to lengthy critical care bed admissions.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Mar 2014
Serious adverse effects from single-use detergent sacs: report from a U.S. statewide poison control system.
In recent years, serious adverse effects to children from exposure to single-use detergents sacs (SUDS) have been recognized. While most exposures result in minor symptoms, there have been serious outcomes. This study aims to classify which types of serious outcomes follow SUDS exposures, and to assess, if possible, differences in toxicity between various SUDS products. ⋯ Serious complications from exposure to SUDS occur in a small number of exposures for unclear reasons. Respiratory and CNS effects are associated with more severe outcomes. Some brand-name products are associated with a relatively higher risk of severe adverse effects and rates of admission.