Question Of The Day

In which organ does paraquat primarily accumulate and cause toxic effects? The lungs. Paraquat, an herbicide, mainly accumulates in the lung (pulmonary concentrations can be 6 to 10 times higher than those in the plasma), where it is retained even when blood levels start to…

What are the most common central nervous system and cardiovascular manifestations following lamotrigine overdose? Alyahya B et al., in a systematic review of lamotrigine overdoses, showed that altered sensorium ranging from mild drowsiness and lethargy to coma occurred in 82% of cases and tachcyardia occurred…

Toxic effects of podophyllin, a resin derived from the roots of certain plants including American mandrake, mimics the toxic effects of what prescription drug? Colchicine The toxic effects of colchicine and podophyllotoxin are derived from interference of microtubulin structure and function by binding to tubulin…

A recent study using a pyrolysis chamber to simulate the combustion of cannabidiol in e-cigarette devices, using reference grade cannabidiol, detected several other cannabinoids following pyrolysis. What were these? In this study, under either oxidant or inert conditions, cannabidiol, delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC and cannabichromene…

The alkaline Beam test was described in the early 20th century as a method to detect what substance? The alkaline Beam test was used to identify cannabis plant material. A specimen of the suspected plant material was mixed with an organic solvent, the extract dried…

What is the recommended observation time to monitor patients after an ACE inhibitor overdose if they are asymptomatic? A retrospective review of 33 patients who presented after an ACE inhibitor overdose found that maximal blood pressure lowering occurred around 5 hours after ingestion irrespective of…

What antipsychotic has been associated with fatal cases of diabetic ketoacidosis at therapeutic doses? Olanzapine. Avella et al. reported three fatal cases of diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with therapeutic olanzapine levels, despite no prior history of diabetes. Avella, Joseph, Wetli, Charles V, Wilson, James C,…

What structurally similar GABA-B agonist has been shown to successfully treat patients with dependence on the dietary supplement phenibut (β-Phenyl-ϒ- amino-butyric acid)? Baclofen Phenibut is a primarily a GABA-B receptor agonist. It is prescribed in Russia as an anxiolytic and can be purchased online as…

What antipsychotic is known to produce sialorrhea despite its antimuscarinic effects? Clozapine. Clozapine antagonizes muscarinic receptors, producing antimuscarinic effects in overdose. However, it paradoxically acts as an agonist at the M4 subtype receptor and produces sialorrhea. Praharaj, Samir Kumar, Arora, Manu, & Gandotra, Sachin. (2006)….

Consumption of which animal can lead to the development of acute rhabdomyolysis? European migratory quails (Coturnism). Acute rhabdomyolysis develops when damage to striated muscles occurs. A rarely reported cause of this syndrome is quail poisoning, also known as coturnism. Coturnism may develop after consumption of…