Articles: poison-control-centers.
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Swiss medical weekly · Dec 2019
Characteristics of emergency department presentations requiring consultation of the national Poisons Information Centre.
To describe the characteristics of cases presenting at the emergency department due to (suspected) poisoning for which consultation on patient management with the national Poisons Information Centre was required. ⋯ For patients presenting at the emergency department with severe poisoning, contact with the poison information centre can help to implement specific treatment and avoid fatalities. In less severe cases involving more common agents (e.g. paracetamol, benzodiazepines), contact can help to avoid unnecessary treatment and serve as a source of information and/or confirmation.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Dec 2019
A review of 4652 exposures to liquid laundry detergent capsules reported to the United Kingdom National Poisons Information Service 2008-2018.
Introduction: Liquid laundry detergent capsules contain concentrated liquid laundry detergent in a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol membrane. Objective: To review 4652 exposures reported to the United Kingdom National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) and to assess the impact of regulatory changes on potential toxicity. Methods: Telephone enquiries to the NPIS and returned questionnaires for these products were analyzed for the period January 2008 to December 2018. ⋯ The most commonly reported features in the 127 cases with PSS ≥2 were vomiting (n = 75), stridor (n = 34), CNS depression (n = 22), keratitis/corneal damage (n = 21), coughing (n = 18), conjunctivitis (n = 13), hypersalivation (n = 12), foaming from the mouth (n = 11) and hypoxemia (n = 11). However, respiratory features (stridor, hypoxemia, bronchospasm, respiratory distress, dyspnea, pulmonary aspiration and tachypnea) were the reason for grading 56 of 127 cases as PSS ≥2. Conclusions: This large data set of 4652 exposures is reassuring in that 97.2% of exposures resulted in no or only minor features, only 107 patients suffered moderate features (PSS 2) and 19 severe (PSS 3) features; one patient died.
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Case Reports Observational Study
Phenibut exposures and clinical effects reported to a regional poison center.
Phenibut is a synthetically produced central nervous system (CNS) depressant that is structurally similar to the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Phenibut has been identified as a drug of abuse with numerous clinical effects in overdose and a withdrawal syndrome with chronic use. The purpose of this study is to report the incidence of exposure calls regarding phenibut to a poison center, describe the reasons for its use and clinical effects. ⋯ Exposure calls to a regional poison center regarding phenibut have increased over the past five years. CNS depression was common, and associated with significant clinical outcomes including respiratory failure requiring intubation. As phenibut is easily attainable and exposures appear to be increasing, physicians should be aware of phenibut-associated CNS and respiratory depression and be prepared to manage airways appropriately.
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To assess the numbers of paracetamol overdose-related hospital admissions and deaths in Australia since 2007-08, and the overdose size of intentional paracetamol overdoses since 2004. ⋯ The frequency of paracetamol overdose-related hospital admissions has increased in Australia since 2004, and the rise is associated with greater numbers of liver injury diagnoses. Overdose size and the proportion of overdoses involving modified release paracetamol have each also increased.
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Objective: We describe the clinical effects of, and products associated with, acute exposures to cannabis during the early legalization period of recreational cannabis in Oregon and Alaska. Methods: This was an observational study of Oregon/Alaska Poison Center data between 4 December 2015 and 15 April 2017. A standardized data collection instrument was created for this study that captured information about cannabis product description, route of exposure, intentional vs unintentional exposure, product dose, product manufacture source, product ownership source, initial vital signs, clinical signs and symptoms, and subject disposition. ⋯ Children experienced unintentional exposures, particularly within the home and occasionally with major adverse outcomes. Concentrated products such as resins and liquid concentrates were associated with greater toxicity than other cannabis products. These findings may help guide other states during the early retail cannabis legalization period.