6.5.1) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION/PREHOSPITAL
A) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL 1) PREHOSPITAL ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION a) Consider prehospital administration of activated charcoal as an aqueous slurry in patients with a potentially toxic ingestion who are awake and able to protect their airway. Activated charcoal is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion. Administration in the prehospital setting has the potential to significantly decrease the time from toxin ingestion to activated charcoal administration, although it has not been shown to affect outcome (Alaspaa et al, 2005; Thakore & Murphy, 2002; Spiller & Rogers, 2002). 1) In patients who are at risk for the abrupt onset of seizures or mental status depression, activated charcoal should not be administered in the prehospital setting, due to the risk of aspiration in the event of spontaneous emesis.
2) The addition of flavoring agents (cola drinks, chocolate milk, cherry syrup) to activated charcoal improves the palatability for children and may facilitate successful administration (Guenther Skokan et al, 2001; Dagnone et al, 2002).
2) CHARCOAL DOSE a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005). 1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS 1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
6.5.2) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION
A) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL 1) CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION a) Consider administration of activated charcoal after a potentially toxic ingestion (Chyka et al, 2005). Administer charcoal as an aqueous slurry; most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion.
2) CHARCOAL DOSE a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005). 1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS 1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
6.5.3) TREATMENT
A) MONITORING OF PATIENT 1) Monitor vital signs, serum electrolytes, liver enzymes, and renal function following significant overdose.
2) Obtain an ECG and institute continuous cardiac monitoring in symptomatic patients.
B) HYPERTENSIVE EPISODE 1) Monitor vital signs regularly. For mild/moderate hypertension without evidence of end organ damage, pharmacologic intervention is generally not necessary. Sedative agents such as benzodiazepines may be helpful in treating hypertension and tachycardia in agitated patients, especially if a sympathomimetic agent is involved in the poisoning. 2) For hypertensive emergencies (severe hypertension with evidence of end organ injury (CNS, cardiac, renal), or emergent need to lower mean arterial pressure 20% to 25% within one hour), sodium nitroprusside is preferred. Nitroglycerin and phentolamine are possible alternatives. 3) SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE/INDICATIONS a) Useful for emergent treatment of severe hypertension secondary to poisonings. Sodium nitroprusside has a rapid onset of action, a short duration of action and a half-life of about 2 minutes (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection for IV infusion, 2007) that can allow accurate titration of blood pressure, as the hypertensive effects of drug overdoses are often short lived.
4) SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE/DOSE a) ADULT: Begin intravenous infusion at 0.1 microgram/kilogram/minute and titrate to desired effect; up to 10 micrograms/kilogram/minute may be required (American Heart Association, 2005). Frequent hemodynamic monitoring and administration by an infusion pump that ensures a precise flow rate is mandatory (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection for IV infusion, 2007). PEDIATRIC: Initial: 0.5 to 1 microgram/kilogram/minute; titrate to effect up to 8 micrograms/kilogram/minute (Kleinman et al, 2010).
5) SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE/SOLUTION PREPARATION a) The reconstituted 50 mg solution must be further diluted in 250 to 1000 mL D5W to desired concentration (recommended 50 to 200 mcg/mL) (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection, 2004). Prepare fresh every 24 hours; wrap in aluminum foil. Discard discolored solution (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection for IV infusion, 2007).
6) SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE/MAJOR ADVERSE REACTIONS a) Severe hypotension; headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps; thiocyanate or cyanide toxicity (generally from prolonged, high dose infusion); methemoglobinemia; lactic acidosis; chest pain or dysrhythmias (high doses) (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection for IV infusion, 2007). The addition of 1 gram of sodium thiosulfate to each 100 milligrams of sodium nitroprusside for infusion may help to prevent cyanide toxicity in patients receiving prolonged or high dose infusions (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection for IV infusion, 2007).
7) SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE/MONITORING PARAMETERS a) Monitor blood pressure every 30 to 60 seconds at onset of infusion; once stabilized, monitor every 5 minutes. Continuous blood pressure monitoring with an intra-arterial catheter is advised (Prod Info NITROPRESS(R) injection for IV infusion, 2007).
8) PHENTOLAMINE/INDICATIONS a) Useful for severe hypertension, particularly if caused by agents with alpha adrenergic agonist effects usually induced by catecholamine excess (Rhoney & Peacock, 2009).
9) PHENTOLAMINE/ADULT DOSE a) BOLUS DOSE: 5 to 15 mg IV bolus repeated as needed (U.S. Departement of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2004). Onset of action is 1 to 2 minutes with a duration of 10 to 30 minutes (Rhoney & Peacock, 2009).
b) CONTINUOUS INFUSION: 1 mg/hr, adjusted hourly to stabilize blood pressure. Prepared by adding 60 mg of phentolamine mesylate to 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection; continuous infusion ranging from 12 to 52 mg/hr over 4 days has been used in case reports (McMillian et al, 2011).
10) PHENTOLAMINE/PEDIATRIC DOSE a) 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg/dose (maximum of 5 mg per dose) intravenously every 5 minutes until hypertension is controlled, then every 2 to 4 hours as needed (Singh et al, 2012; Koch-Weser, 1974).
11) PHENTOLAMINE/ADVERSE EFFECTS a) Adverse events can include orthostatic or prolonged hypotension, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, angina, flushing, headache, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea (Rhoney & Peacock, 2009; Prod Info Phentolamine Mesylate IM, IV injection Sandoz Standard, 2005).
12) CAUTION a) Phentolamine should be used with caution in patients with coronary artery disease because it may induce angina or myocardial infarction (Rhoney & Peacock, 2009).
13) NITROGLYCERIN/INDICATIONS a) May be used to control hypertension, and is particularly useful in patients with acute coronary syndromes or acute pulmonary edema (Rhoney & Peacock, 2009).
14) NITROGLYCERIN/ADULT DOSE a) Begin infusion at 10 to 20 mcg/min and increase by 5 or 10 mcg/min every 5 to 10 minutes until the desired hemodynamic response is achieved (American Heart Association, 2005). Maximum rate 200 mcg/min (Rhoney & Peacock, 2009).
15) NITROGLYCERIN/PEDIATRIC DOSE a) Usual Dose: 29 days or Older: 1 to 5 mcg/kg/min continuous IV infusion. Maximum 60 mcg/kg/min (Laitinen et al, 1997; Nam et al, 1989; Rasch & Lancaster, 1987; Ilbawi et al, 1985; Friedman & George, 1985).
C) VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIA 1) VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS SUMMARY a) Obtain an ECG, institute continuous cardiac monitoring and administer oxygen. Evaluate for hypoxia, acidosis, and electrolyte disorders (particularly hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia). Lidocaine and amiodarone are generally first line agents for stable monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, particularly in patients with underlying impaired cardiac function. Amiodarone should be used with caution if a substance that prolongs the QT interval and/or causes torsades de pointes is involved in the overdose. Unstable rhythms require immediate cardioversion.
2) LIDOCAINE a) LIDOCAINE/INDICATIONS 1) Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (Prod Info Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, 2006; Neumar et al, 2010; Vanden Hoek et al, 2010).
b) LIDOCAINE/DOSE 1) ADULT: 1 to 1.5 milligrams/kilogram via intravenous push. For refractory VT/VF an additional bolus of 0.5 to 0.75 milligram/kilogram can be given at 5 to 10 minute intervals to a maximum dose of 3 milligrams/kilogram (Neumar et al, 2010). Only bolus therapy is recommended during cardiac arrest. a) Once circulation has been restored begin a maintenance infusion of 1 to 4 milligrams per minute. If dysrhythmias recur during infusion repeat 0.5 milligram/kilogram bolus and increase the infusion rate incrementally (maximal infusion rate is 4 milligrams/minute) (Neumar et al, 2010).
2) CHILD: 1 milligram/kilogram initial bolus IV/IO; followed by a continuous infusion of 20 to 50 micrograms/kilogram/minute (de Caen et al, 2015). c) LIDOCAINE/MAJOR ADVERSE REACTIONS 1) Paresthesias; muscle twitching; confusion; slurred speech; seizures; respiratory depression or arrest; bradycardia; coma. May cause significant AV block or worsen pre-existing block. Prophylactic pacemaker may be required in the face of bifascicular, second degree, or third degree heart block (Prod Info Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, 2006; Neumar et al, 2010).
d) LIDOCAINE/MONITORING PARAMETERS 1) Monitor ECG continuously; plasma concentrations as indicated (Prod Info Lidocaine HCl intravenous injection solution, 2006).
3) AMIODARONE a) AMIODARONE/INDICATIONS 1) Effective for the control of hemodynamically stable monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Also recommended for pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation in cardiac arrest unresponsive to CPR, defibrillation and vasopressor therapy (Link et al, 2015; Neumar et al, 2010). It should be used with caution when the ingestion involves agents known to cause QTc prolongation, such as fluoroquinolones, macrolide antibiotics or azoles, and when ECG reveals QT prolongation suspected to be secondary to overdose (Prod Info Cordarone(R) oral tablets, 2015).
b) AMIODARONE/ADULT DOSE 1) For ventricular fibrillation or pulseless VT unresponsive to CPR, defibrillation, and a vasopressor therapy give an initial dose of 300 mg IV followed by 1 dose of 150 mg IV. For stable ventricular tachycardias: Infuse 150 milligrams over 10 minutes, and repeat if necessary. Follow by a 1 milligram/minute infusion for 6 hours, then a 0.5 milligram/minute. Maximum total dose over 24 hours is 2.2 grams (Neumar et al, 2010).
c) AMIODARONE/PEDIATRIC DOSE 1) Infuse 5 milligrams/kilogram as a bolus for pulseless ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation; may repeat twice up to 15 mg/kg. Infuse 5 milligrams/kilogram over 20 to 60 minutes for perfusing tachycardias. Maximum single dose is 300 mg. Routine use with other drugs that prolong the QT interval is NOT recommended (Kleinman et al, 2010).
d) ADVERSE EFFECTS 1) Hypotension and bradycardia are the most common adverse effects (Neumar et al, 2010).
4) PROCAINAMIDE a) PROCAINAMIDE/INDICATIONS 1) An alternative drug in the treatment of PVCs or recurrent ventricular tachycardia when lidocaine is contraindicated or not effective. It should be avoided when the ingestion involves agents with quinidine-like effects (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, chloroquine, antidysrhythmics) and when the ECG reveals QRS widening or QT prolongation suspected to be secondary to overdose(Neumar et al, 2010; Vanden Hoek,TL,et al).
b) PROCAINAMIDE/ADULT LOADING DOSE 1) 20 to 50 milligrams/minute IV until dysrhythmia is suppressed or toxicity develops from procainamide (hypotension develops or the QRS is widened by 50%), or a total dose of 17 milligrams/kilogram is given (1.2 grams for a 70 kilogram person) (Neumar et al, 2010).
2) ALTERNATIVE DOSING: 100 mg every 5 minutes until dysrhythmia is controlled, or toxicity develops from procainamide (hypotension develops or the QRS is widened by 50%) or 17 mg/kg have been given (Neumar et al, 2010).
3) MAXIMUM DOSE: 17 milligrams/kilogram (Neumar et al, 2010).
c) PROCAINAMIDE/CONTROLLED INFUSION 1) In conscious patients, procainamide should be administered as a controlled infusion (20 milligrams/minute) because of the risk of QT prolongation and its hypotensive effects (Link et al, 2015)
d) PROCAINAMIDE/ADULT MAINTENANCE DOSE 1) 1 to 4 milligrams/minute via an intravenous infusion (Neumar et al, 2010).
e) PROCAINAMIDE/PEDIATRIC LOADING DOSE 1) 15 milligrams/kilogram IV/Intraosseously over 30 to 60 minutes; discontinue if hypotension develops or the QRS widens by 50% (Kleinman et al, 2010).
f) PROCAINAMIDE/PEDIATRIC MAINTENANCE DOSE 1) Initiate at 20 mcg/kg/minute and increase in 10 mcg/kg/minute increments every 15 to 30 minutes until desired effect is achieved; up to 80 mcg/kg/minute (Bouhouch et al, 2008; Ratnasamy et al, 2008; Mandapati et al, 2000; Luedtke et al, 1997; Walsh et al, 1997).
g) PROCAINAMIDE/PEDIATRIC MAXIMUM DOSE 1) 2 grams/day (Bouhouch et al, 2008; Ratnasamy et al, 2008; Mandapati et al, 2000; Luedtke et al, 1997; Walsh et al, 1997).
h) MONITORING PARAMETERS 1) ECG, blood pressure, and blood concentrations (Prod Info procainamide HCl IV, IM injection solution, 2011). Procainamide can produce hypotension and QT prolongation (Link et al, 2015).
i) AVOID 1) Avoid in patients with QT prolongation and CHF (Neumar et al, 2010).
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