ABSTRACT
Presentation Toxicological Causes Other Medical Examples
Asymptomatic with history
Almost any drug Not applicable
Gastrointestinal complaints
Salicylate, theophylline, iron, colchicine quinidine, almost any drug
Food poisoning, allergy, ulcer, pancreatitis, obstruction, gallstones, genitourinary
Coma Narcotics, sedatives, antipsychotics, alcohol, tricyclics, long-lasting benzodiazepines
Infectious and metabolic encephalopathy, trauma, anoxia, cerebrovascular accident, brain death
Seizures Theophylline, tricyclics, isoniazid, stimulants, camphor, carbon monoxide, hypoglycemic agents, alcohol withdrawal
Idiopathic, arteriovenous malformation, tumor, trauma, hypoxia, febrile, inborn errors
Psychosis and altered mental status
Anticholinergics, stimulants, withdrawal
Psychiatric, infection, metabolic/inborn errors
Acidosis Salicylate, ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol, cyanide drugs causing seizures
Shock, diabetes, uremia, lactic acidosis
Respiratory depression (usually with coma)
Narcotics, sedatives, benzodiazepines
Cerebrovascular accident, metabolic coma, tumor
Pulmonary edema Salicylates, narcotics, iron, paraquat (initially)
Heart failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation
Arrhythmias Tricylics, quinidine, anticholinergics, b-blockers, digoxin, lithium, antipsychotics, organophosphates
Atherosclerotic heart disease
Diagnoses in Overdose (Continued)
Hypotension Narcotics, sedatives, tricyclics, antipsychotics, b-blockers, theophylline, iron
Heart failure, shock, hypovolemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation
Hypertension Cocaine, amphetamines, cyanide, nicotine, clonidine (initially)
Essential, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid, hyperrenin states, renal failure
Ataxia Antiepileptics, barbiturates, alcohol, lithium, organomercury
Cerebellar degeneration
Source: From Osterloh, 1990. Reprinted with permission.
