Intoxicaciones (ENARM)

Acetaminophen (APAP), or paracetamol, is an over-the-counter nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic medication. It is the most commonly used analgesic worldwide. Likewise, APAP overdose is one of the most common causes of medication poisoning and death. Acetaminophen is primarily metabolized by the liver; therefore, overdose can lead to life threatening hepatotoxicity. In adults, limitation of total APAP dose (from all sources and routes) to < 4000 mg per day is recommended. During evaluation, a thorough history and measurement of serum APAP are important, as the initial clinical signs of APAP overdose can be nonspecific. Management of overdose includes drug serum concentration, stabilization, decontamination, and administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Use of NAC within 8 hours of ingestion is associated with good case outcomes. Without treatment, however, cases are at significant risk of severe hepatotoxicity and potentially death.

A toxidrome is a group of clinical signs and symptoms associated with a toxic ingestion or exposure. There are 5 traditional toxidromes: anticholinergic, cholinergic, opioid, sympathomimetic, and sedative-hypnotic. Toxidromes often arise from ingestion of overdose amounts, accumulation of medications with resultant elevated serum levels, adverse drug reactions, or interactions between 2 or more medications. Rapid recognition of a toxidrome can help determine the specific poison or class of toxin that was ingested. On presentation of a suspected toxidrome, appropriate airway, breathing, and circulation assessment is initiated. Decontamination is performed, and the patient is stabilized. Diagnosis is accomplished with clinical findings based on medication and exposure history, vital signs, mental status, and physical examination. Testing generally includes toxicology and drug levels, electrolytes, and ECG. Management consists of supportive care and antidote administration if indicated.

Herbicides are chemical substances used to kill or control the growth of unwanted plants. Important herbicides that can affect humans include paraquat, Agent Orange, glyphosate, and organophosphates. Different types of herbicides result in different clinical manifestations and have various toxicity levels. Paraquat ingestion is associated with multiorgan damage within a few hours and is fatal in large amounts. In contrast, glyphosate typically has low toxicity, but if a significant volume is ingested, serious adverse effects occur. Organophosphates, which are broadly used as pesticides, produce a cholinergic toxidrome. Agent Orange, containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a human carcinogen, carries both short-term (e.g., chloracne, liver toxicity) and long-term (e.g., cancers) complications. Exposure can be dermal or via inhalation or ingestion. In general, early detection is important to prevent serious sequelae. Initial management consists of stabilizing the patient and decontamination. An antidote is given, if available. Treatment of herbicide poisoning revolves around supportive care that depends on the involved organ system.

An antidote is a substance that counteracts poisoning or toxicity. Substances that can cause poisoning include heavy metals (from occupation, treatments, or diet), alcohols, environmental toxins, and medications. An increase in the concentration of these substances to toxic levels can occur accidentally or intentionally, resulting in both acute and chronic presentations. Some substances can be detected using specific laboratory tests, whereas the detection of others relies on nonspecific findings. Thus, it is important to recognize substance poisoning by history, individual risk factors, and physical examination. Antidotes along with supportive care and monitoring are part of the management.

Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic medication and the most commonly used analgesic worldwide. Despite the widespread use of acetaminophen, its mechanism of action is not entirely understood. However, acetaminophen is believed to exert its effects through indirect and reversible inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2. The effects are generally limited to the CNS. Acetaminophen is primarily metabolized by the liver; therefore, an overdose can lead to life-threatening hepatotoxicity. In adults, limiting the total acetaminophen dose (from all sources and routes) to < 4000 mg/day is highly recommended. Contraindications to acetaminophen use include hypersensitivity, severe hepatic impairment, or severe active hepatic disease.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is an over-the-counter nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic medication. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used analgesic worldwide. Acetaminophen overdose is also one of the most common causes of medication poisoning and death. Because APAP is primarily metabolized by the liver, overdose can lead to life threatening hepatotoxicity. In adults, limitation of total APAP dose (from all sources and routes) to < 4,000 mg per day is recommended. During evaluation, a thorough history and measurement of serum APAP are important, as the initial clinical stages of APAP overdose can be nonspecific. Management of overdose includes drug serum concentration, stabilization, decontamination, and administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Use of NAC within 8 hours of ingestion is associated with good case outcomes. Without treatment, however, cases are at significant risk of severe hepatotoxicity and potentially death.