Recent advances in the management of poisoning cases.

ABSTRACT

Deaths due to poisoning are on the rise over the years, despite advanced knowledge regarding their pharmacokinetics and pathology, and newer and better techniques being developed for the management of poisoning cases. The management of a poisoned patient has changed over the years. Though the general principles of treatment of a poisoned patient remain the same, traditional methods like gastric lavage, for example, have taken a back seat. There has been gaining popularity of newer methods like use of activated charcoal and a variety of newer antidotes. Attention has also shifted to toxidromes, the collection of symptoms and signs that consistently occur after ingestion of a particular toxin or drug. Grouping the various signs and symptoms exhibited by a poisoned patient into different toxidromes helps the physician in rapid identification of the toxidrome and saves time in evaluating and managing a poisoned patient. However, the mainstay of the treatment, according to the experts is stabilization of the patient.