Citation

Lin PC, Lin HJ, Liao YY, Guo HR, Chen KT. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2013; 112(4): 282-286.

Affiliation

Emergency Department, Chi-Mei Medical Center.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Nordic Pharmacological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/bcpt.12027

PMID

23078648

Abstract

Neonicotinoids are a new class of insecticides widely applied for crop protection. These insecticides act as agonists at nicotinic acertylcholine receptors, which cause insect paralysis and death. The high specificity for receptors in insects was considered to possess highly selective toxicity to insects and relative sparing of mammals. However, an increasing number of cases of acute neonicotinoid poisoning have been reported in recent years. We reported a man who developed respiratory failure and shock after ingestion of neonicotinoid insecticide. A detailed literature review found that respiratory, cardiovascular and certain neurologic presentations are warning signs of severe neonicotinoid intoxication. The amounts of ingested neonicotinoid insecticide and the plasma neonicotinoid concentration are not useful guides for the management of intoxicated patients. Supportive treatment and decontamination are the practical methods for the management of all neonicotinoid poisoning patients.

Language: en