ABSTRACT
This report describes the severe multisystem toxicity which followed ingestion of 5 piroxicam capsules (100 mg) by a 2-year-old child. Gastro-intestinal symptoms developed within 2 hours, resulting in severe fluid and electrolyte imbalance, mental confusion and a generalized seizure. Evidence of liver and renal dysfunction developed within 3 days. Haemopoietic toxicity was manifested by progressive peripheral pancytopenia, bone marrow aplasia and coagulopathy. Pseudomonas septicaemia developed during the period of neutropenia. Clinical, biochemical and haematological abnormalities slowly resolved over 3-4 weeks. In view of the increasing use of piroxicam as an anti-inflammatory agent it seemed important to draw attention to the potentially serious effects of accidental overdosage.
