Question Of The Day

Based on an animal model, which beta-blocker showed a reduction in heart rate with no decrease in cardiac output and blood pressure when used to treat a theophylline overdose? Esmolol Gaar GG, Banner W Jr, Laddu AR: The effects of esmolol on the hemodynamics of…

What abnormalities of a thromboelastogram suggest potential value in the management of venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy from crotalinae envenomation? Alpha angle and LY30 William F. Rushton , Jessica V. Rivera , Julie Brown , Michael Christopher Kurz & Justin Arnold (2021) Utilization of thromboelastograms in management…

Name the toxin. Oleandrin. Photo Credit: By Jeff Dahl – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4358855  

How does CYP2E1 contribute to ethanol-induced hepatitis? CYP2E1, a major enzyme in the metabolism of ethanol, is induced in chronic ethanol consumption. CYP2E1 then significantly contributes to the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, but produces reactive oxygen species concurrently. In chronic ethanol consumption, the generation…

This drug has been used in tetrodotoxin-induced respiratory failure. Neostigmine and edrophonium have been used in case series of patients with tetrodotoxin-induced respiratory failure though the benefit remains unclear. Liu SH et al. Is neostigmine effective in severe pufferfish-associated tetrodotoxin poisoning? Clin Tox 2015; 53(1):…

This pharmaceutical product was recently identified as the only active ingredient in crack cocaine. The Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream (MADDS) encountered two drug samples sold as “crack” and “white rock” that contained bupropion as the only psychoactive substance. Wightman RS, Erowid E, Erowid F…

What extremely potent alkaloid is the leading poison excreted by poison dart frogs (Phyllobates spp.)? Batrachotoxin. Batrachotoxin increases the permeability of nerve and cell membranes to sodium ions by binding to the alpha subunit of sodium channels, allowing rapid influx into the cells and thus…

Which metabolite of diethylene glycol causes renal toxicity? Diglycolic acid (DGA). Diglycolic acid (DGA) is the metabolite responsible for diethylene glycol-induced renal toxicity. DGA decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential in human proximal tubule cells, leading to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, but without uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation….

What over the counter medication is responsible for 460 cases of abuse or misuse over the last 20 years? Common side effects reported to poison centers include: tachycardia, agitation, hypertension, angina, tremor, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. Of the 460 cases reported to poison…

A patient ingests the mushroom, Hapolopilus rutilans and presents to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and blurred vision. What color change of the patient’s urine do you expect? Purple discloration of the urine may occur after ingestion of H. rutilans. Villa AF…