Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Pharmaceutical Overdoses
Number of Conditions: 3
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Toxicity
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Acute Poisoning
Sub-category: Pharmaceutical Overdoses
Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; jaundice; confusion; fatigue
Root Cause:
Excessive intake of acetaminophen overwhelms liver detoxification pathways, leading to toxic accumulation of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a metabolite that causes liver damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed with serum acetaminophen levels and liver function tests.
Treatment:
Treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to replenish glutathione and prevent liver damage.
Medications:
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the antidote for acetaminophen toxicity. It belongs to the class of mucolytics and glutathione precursors.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Acetaminophen toxicity is one of the most common causes of acute liver failure globally, with thousands of cases reported annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Overdose (intentional or accidental), chronic alcohol use, malnutrition, or concurrent use of medications that induce cytochrome P450 enzymes (e.g., certain anticonvulsants).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated promptly; severe cases can lead to acute liver failure and death if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Acute liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, kidney injury, and death in severe cases.
Aspirin (Salicylate) Poisoning
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Acute Poisoning
Sub-category: Pharmaceutical Overdoses
Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; hyperventilation; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); confusion; seizures; coma
Root Cause:
Excessive salicylates disrupt metabolic pathways, causing respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and increased energy expenditure.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed by serum salicylate levels and blood gas analysis
Treatment:
Treated with activated charcoal, IV sodium bicarbonate for alkalinization, and hemodialysis in severe cases.
Medications:
Sodium bicarbonate is used to alkalinize urine; it is an alkalinizing agent. No specific antidote exists.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common due to decreased aspirin use in children but still a concern in adults and intentional overdoses.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Intentional overdose, chronic use, impaired kidney function, or co-ingestion with other medications.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment; severe cases can result in multi-organ failure and death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, seizures, and renal failure.
Opioid Overdose
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Acute Poisoning
Sub-category: Pharmaceutical Overdoses
Symptoms:
respiratory depression; pinpoint pupils; unconsciousness; bradycardia; hypotension; cyanosis
Root Cause:
Excess opioids activate mu-opioid receptors in the brain, suppressing the respiratory center and causing life-threatening hypoxia.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically by respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, and altered mental status.
Treatment:
Treated with naloxone to reverse opioid effects and supportive care, including airway management.
Medications:
Naloxone is the antidote; it is an opioid receptor antagonist.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A leading cause of accidental deaths, particularly in regions with high opioid prescription or illicit opioid use.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Opioid misuse, co-ingestion of sedatives or alcohol, chronic opioid use, or underlying respiratory conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt naloxone administration; delayed treatment can result in death or hypoxic brain injury.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory arrest, anoxic brain injury, aspiration pneumonia, and death.