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) SUMMARY 1) Consider administration of activated charcoal in patients with a potentially toxic ingestion who are awake and able to protect their airway. Consider treating patients with solanine-like symptoms with activated charcoal even if they present 8 to 12 hours after exposure. Solanine is poorly absorbed; however, coingestion of atropine compounds may slow GI tract.
B) 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) SUPPORT 1) MANAGEMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE TOXICITY a) Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. There is no specific antidote for solanine. Monitor fluids and electrolytes, if vomiting and diarrhea are extensive. Replace electrolytes as needed. Atropine is occasionally used to treat significant bradycardia.
2) MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE TOXICITY a) Symptomatic and supportive treatment is the mainstay of solanine toxicity. Monitor vital signs and neurologic function. Severe gastrointestinal symptoms may produce fluid and electrolyte imbalances which should be monitored. Treat with IV fluids and electrolyte replacement as needed. Historically, it has been suggested that these plants may contain anticholinergics as well and patients should be monitored for these effects (eg, bradycardia, sialorrhea). However, this has been rarely reported in the literature. Physostigmine, if needed, should be reserved for life-threatening effects. Respiratory failure has rarely occurred late in the illness and should be managed supportively with intubation and ventilation as needed
B) MONITORING OF PATIENT 1) Few laboratories are able to identify solanine and related compounds; levels have no clinical significance. Routine laboratory studies are not indicated following a mild exposure. Electrolytes and renal function should be monitored in the setting of moderate to severe gastrointestinal symptoms (ie, vomiting, diarrhea).
C) FLUID/ELECTROLYTE BALANCE REGULATION 1) SUMMARY: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms may produce fluid and electrolyte imbalances which should be monitored and treated with appropriate intravenous fluids. Replace electrolytes as needed. (Eisen, 1988).
D) AIRWAY MANAGEMENT 1) Respiratory failure has rarely occurred late in the course of an illness. Provide respiratory support when necessary.
E) PHYSOSTIGMINE 1) Based on limited human cases of solanine exposure, physostigmine is unlikely to be necessary. Most clinical events are self-limited and are more likely to produce gastrointestinal events (Slanina, 1990; Dalvi & Bowie, 1983a; McMillan & Thompson, 1979). 2) PRECAUTIONS: Some ingestions may have mixed solanine and anticholinergic effects (Ceha et al, 1997). Administration of physostigmine may increase masked solanine symptoms. Physostigmine is not indicated unless there are life-threatening anticholinergic effects. 3) CASE REPORT: Following a large nightshade ingestion a 4-year-old girl presented to an ED in acute anticholinergic crisis. The child received an initial dose of 0.2 mg of intravenous physostigmine (0.02 mg/kg) along with two additional equivalent doses with complete resolution of symptoms (Ceha et al, 1997). 4) PHYSOSTIGMINE/INDICATIONS a) Physostigmine is indicated to reverse the CNS effects caused by clinical or toxic dosages of agents capable of producing anticholinergic syndrome; however, long lasting reversal of anticholinergic signs and symptoms is generally not achieved because of the relatively short duration of action of physostigmine (45 to 60 minutes) (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008). It is most often used diagnostically to distinguish anticholinergic delirium from other causes of altered mental status (Frascogna, 2007; Shannon, 1998).
b) Physostigmine should not be used in patients with suspected tricyclic antidepressant overdose, or an ECG suggestive of tricyclic antidepressant overdose (eg, QRS widening). In the setting of tricyclic antidepressant overdose, use of physostigmine has precipitated seizures and intractable cardiac arrest (Stewart, 1979; Newton, 1975; Pentel & Peterson, 1980; Frascogna, 2007).
5) DOSE a) ADULT: BOLUS: 2 mg IV at slow controlled rate, no more than 1 mg/min. May repeat doses at intervals of 10 to 30 min, if severe symptoms recur (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008). INFUSION: For patients with prolonged anticholinergic delirium, a continuous infusion of physostigmine may be considered. Starting dose is 2 mg/hr, titrate to effect (Eyer et al, 2008)
b) CHILD: 0.02 mg/kg by slow IV injection, at a rate no more than 0.5 mg/minute. Repeat dosage at 5 to 10 minute intervals as long as the toxic effect persists and there is no sign of cholinergic effects. MAXIMUM DOSAGE: 2 mg total (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008).
c) AVAILABILITY: Physostigmine salicylate is available in 2 mL ampules, each mL containing 1 mg of physostigmine salicylate in a vehicle containing sodium metabisulfite 0.1%, benzyl alcohol 2%, and water (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008).
6) CAUTIONS a) Relative contraindications to the use of physostigmine are asthma, gangrene, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, intestinal or urogenital tract mechanical obstruction, peripheral vascular disease, cardiac conduction defects, atrioventricular block, and in patients receiving choline esters and depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (decamethonium, succinylcholine). It may cause anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in patients with sulfite sensitivity (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008).
b) Too rapid IV administration of physostigmine has resulted in bradycardia, hypersalivation leading to respiratory difficulties, and possible seizures (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008).
7) ATROPINE FOR PHYSOSTIGMINE TOXICITY a) Atropine should be available to reverse life-threatening physostigmine-induced, toxic cholinergic effects (Prod Info physostigmine salicylate intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, 2008; Frascogna, 2007). Atropine may be given at half the dose of previously given physostigmine dose (Daunderer, 1980).
F) BRADYCARDIA 1) Bradycardia has been infrequently reported following solanine exposure. Monitor vital signs. Atropine may be indicated to treat significant solanocapsine induced bradycardia. a) ATROPINE/DOSE 1) ADULT BRADYCARDIA: BOLUS: Give 0.5 milligram IV, repeat every 3 to 5 minutes, if bradycardia persists. Maximum: 3 milligrams (0.04 milligram/kilogram) intravenously is a fully vagolytic dose in most adults. Doses less than 0.5 milligram may cause paradoxical bradycardia in adults (Neumar et al, 2010). 2) PEDIATRIC DOSE: As premedication for emergency intubation in specific situations (eg, giving succinylchoine to facilitate intubation), give 0.02 milligram/kilogram intravenously or intraosseously (0.04 to 0.06 mg/kg via endotracheal tube followed by several positive pressure breaths) repeat once, if needed (de Caen et al, 2015; Kleinman et al, 2010). MAXIMUM SINGLE DOSE: Children: 0.5 milligram; adolescent: 1 mg. a) There is no minimum dose (de Caen et al, 2015).
b) MAXIMUM TOTAL DOSE: Children: 1 milligram; adolescents: 2 milligrams (Kleinman et al, 2010).
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