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) · Jul 2015
ReviewCYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms and their relevance for poisoning due to amfetamines, opioid analgesics and antidepressants.
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a member of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily involved in the biotransformation of drugs and substances of abuse encountered in clinical toxicology. Among the CYP superfamily, the CYP2D6 gene is considered as the most polymorphic as more than 105 different alleles have been identified so far. CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms have the potential to affect the toxicity of their substrates. ⋯ Either poor or extensive/ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolisers may be exposed to toxic effects of amfetamines, opioid analgesics and antidepressants. In these three categories, the level of evidence is substance dependent, with differences within the same pharmacological class.
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Drug shortages have significantly increased over the past decade. There are limited data describing how shortages impact medical toxicology of drugs. ⋯ Drug shortages affected a substantial number of critical agents used in the management of poisoned patients. Shortages were often of long duration and for drugs without alternatives. Providers caring for poisoned patients should be aware of current shortages and implement mitigation strategies to safeguard patient care.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Jul 2015
H2S induced coma and cardiogenic shock in the rat: Effects of phenothiazinium chromophores.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) intoxication produces an acute depression in cardiac contractility-induced circulatory failure, which has been shown to be one of the major contributors to the lethality of H2S intoxication or to the neurological sequelae in surviving animals. Methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazinium dye, can antagonize the effects of the inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport chain, a major effect of H2S toxicity. ⋯ MB can counteract NaHS-induced acute cardiogenic shock; this effect is also produced by azure B, but not by thionine, suggesting that the presence of methyl groups is a prerequisite for producing this protective effect.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Jul 2015
ReviewScorpion-related cardiomyopathy: Clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, and treatment.
Scorpion envenomation is a threat to more than 2 billion people worldwide with an annual sting number exceeding one million. Acute heart failure presenting as cardiogenic shock or pulmonary edema, or both is the most severe presentation of scorpion envenomation accounting for 0.27% lethality rate. ⋯ Scorpion cardiomyopathy is characterized by a marked and reversible alteration in biventricular performance. Supportive treatment relying on ventilatory support and dobutamine infusion is a bridge toward recovery in the majority of patients.