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) · Jan 2021
ReviewToxicity of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine following therapeutic use or overdose.
While chloroquine, a derivative of quinine, has been used as an antimalarial for 70 years, hydroxychloroquine is now used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In 2020, hydroxychloroquine (and to a lesser extent chloroquine) also received attention as a possible treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). During investigation for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2, concerns for serious adverse events arose. ⋯ Hydroxychloroquine is a generally well-tolerated medication. Short-term (days to weeks) toxicity includes gastrointestinal effects and rarely glucose abnormalities, dermatologic reactions, and neuropsychiatric events. Cardiotoxicity became of increased concern with its use in COVID-19 patients. Long-term (years) toxicities include retinopathy, neuromyotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity (conduction abnormalities, cardiomyopathy). Deaths from overdoses most often result from cardiovascular collapse.
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Introduction: Beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist (beta-blocker) poisoning is a common overdose which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the effects of treatments for beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist poisoning. Methods: Searches were conducted across MEDLINE (1946-26 November 2019, Ovid); Embase (1974-26 November 2019, Ovid); and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, to 26 November 2019) utilising a combination of subject headings and free text. ⋯ Evidence for treatment recommendations is almost entirely drawn from very low- to low-quality studies and subject to bias. However, it is reasonable to have a graduated response to cardiovascular instability beginning with intravenous fluids, commencement of a single or a combination of catecholamine inotropes and vasopressors depending upon the type of haemodynamic compromise (bradycardia, left ventricular dysfunction, vasodilation). High-dose insulin euglycaemic therapy can be introduced as an adjunctive inotrope and lastly, more invasive methods such as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should be considered in cases unresponsive to other therapies.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Sep 2020
The association of cannabis use and cardiac dysrhythmias: a systematic review.
Introduction: Cannabis use results in elevation of heart rate and blood pressure immediately after use, primarily due to sympathetic nervous system stimulation and parasympathetic nervous system inhibition. These effects may precipitate cardiac dysrhythmia. The objective of our study was to analyze systematically the pertinent medical literature regarding the putative association between cannabis use and cardiac dysrhythmia. ⋯ Conclusion: Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of cardiac dysrhythmia, which is rare but may be life-threatening. Clinicians and nurses should inquire about acute and chronic cannabis use in their patients presenting with tachycardia, bradycardia, dysrhythmia, chest pain, and/or unexplained syncope. Patients who use cannabis should be educated on this deleterious association, especially those with underlying cardiac disease or risk factors.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Feb 2020
ReviewSynthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists: classification and nomenclature.
Introduction: The emergence of novel psychoactive substances has changed the epidemiology of drugs used recreationally throughout Europe and have posed significant challenges for clinicians, researchers and regulators. Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists have made up a large proportion of these novel psychoactive substances. Developed for legitimate scientific research, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists are potent agonists at CB1 and CB2 receptors and there have been many case reports of severe or fatal toxicity following their recreational use. ⋯ There is a need to establish basic pharmacological and toxicological data for these analogues. Conclusions: There is a need for international consensus on the nomenclature used to name synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists to ensure precise and effective communication between professional groups in the clinic and for the purposes of research and regulation, especially with the emergence of analogues of existing compounds and novel structural motifs. A well-defined nomenclature system also supports quick and accurate communication of the structure-activity of these compounds, potentially highlighting compounds that carry a significant risk of toxicity.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Dec 2019
ReviewConsensus statements on the approach to patients in a methanol poisoning outbreak.
Background: Methanol poisoning is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Although it often occurs as smaller sporadic events, epidemic outbreaks are not uncommon due to the illicit manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. Objective: We aimed to define methanol poisoning outbreak (MPO), outline an approach to triaging an MPO, and define criteria for prioritizing antidotes, extracorporeal elimination treatments (i.e., dialysis), and indications for transferring patients in the context of an MPO. ⋯ Transporting extracorporeal treatment equipment and antidotes may be more efficient. Conclusion: We have developed consensus statements on the response to a methanol poisoning outbreak. These can be used in any country and will be most effective when they are discussed by health authorities and clinicians prior to an outbreak.