Citation

Greene SL, Dargan PI, Jones AL. Postgrad. Med. J. 2005; 81(954): 204-216.

Affiliation

Medical Toxicology Unit, Avonley Road, New Cross, London SE14 5ER, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/pgmj.2004.024794

PMID

15811881

PMCID

PMC1743253

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 pediatric poisonings are reviewed.