Acute poisoning: Understanding 90% of cases in a nutshell

Authors

S L. Greene, NHS Foundation Trust, London
Paul I. Dargan, NHS Foundation, London
Alison L. Jones, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

62730

Publication Details

Greene, S. L., Dargan, P. I. & Jones, A. L. (2005). Acute poisoning: Understanding 90% of cases in a nutshell. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 81 (954), 204-216.

Abstract

The acutely poisoned patient remains a common problem facing doctors working in acute medicine in the United Kingdom and worldwide. This review examines the initial management of the acutely poisoned patient. Aspects of general management are reviewed including immediate interventions, investigations, gastrointestinal decontamination techniques, use of antidotes, methods to increase poison elimination, and psychological assessment. More common and serious poisonings caused by paracetamol, salicylates, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and cocaine are discussed in detail. Specific aspects of common paediatric poisonings are reviewed.