ABSTRACT
Introduction Core topics Management of the following overdoses and poisonings, including knowledge of the antidotes to common poisons:1
Recognition of the major toxidromes (groupings of signs and symptoms which suggest poisoning by a certain class of drug):2
The use of generic treatments in the poisoned patient:
SAQs based around poisoned patients may draw from a wide range of clinical data. Be familiar with important drug levels, such as those of paracetamol, salicylate and lithium. The ECG provides many clues in the poisoned patient. Look for tachycardias, bradycardias and commit to memory the series of ECG changes in tricyclic antidepressant overdose – an exam favourite. Commonly seen also are
C hapter19TO
X IC
O LO
G Y
A N
D PO
ISO N
IN G
–C ases
gap and the anion gap (alcohol, methanol and ethylene glycol).
