Retrospective review of SGLT2 inhibitor exposures reported to 13 poison centers.

BACKGROUND: SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of oral antidiabetics prescribed in the United States since 2013. They act by inhibiting reabsorption of glucose in the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney, allowing excess glucose to be excreted. Little has been reported regarding effects of non-therapeutic exposure to this class of medication. METHODS: Retrospective records from 13 poison centers were examined for human exposures to SGLT2 inhibitors between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2016. Exclusion criteria included multi-substance exposures and exposures without any follow-up call. Data examined included patient age, chronicity of exposure, clinical effects, management site, treatments administered, duration of follow-up, and outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-eight cases met inclusion criteria. Patient age ranged from 1 to 75 years; 49 were evaluated in a health care facility with 18 admissions. No symptoms developed in 80 (91%) patients, 6 (7%) developed minor symptoms, and 2 (2%) developed moderate symptoms. Hypoglycemia was not observed. Mean time to final follow-up was 9.3 h, ranging from 1 to 42 h; median was 6 h. Of the two patients who developed moderate symptoms, one was a 65 year old male who developed metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia while taking canagliflozin therapeutically; the other a 43-year-old female who developed tachycardia and mild hypertension following the intentional ingestion of 6000 mg of canagliflozin. DISCUSSIONS: The number of patients evaluated in a health care facility is most likely reflective of a cautious approach to dealing with a new class of drug. Exposures were generally well-tolerated and managed with minimal intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective series, acute ingestions of SGLT2 inhibitors were well-tolerated with no hypoglycemia and only minor effects. For young children with unintentional ingestions, a reasonable approach to home management would include at least one follow-up for signs and symptoms of possible toxicity including mental status changes, polyuria, or tachypnea.

Evaluation of dabigatran exposures reported to poison control centers.

BACKGROUND: Dabigatran is a novel oral anticoagulant for which a well-defined range of toxicity and proven antidote has not been established. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to characterize dabigatran exposures reported to poison centers by dose ingested, clinical effects, treatments used, and managment sites to gain a better understanding of patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective database review was conducted for dabigatran exposures reported to the National Poison Data System for the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) over the period October 2010 to December 2012. RESULTS: There were 802 human dabigatran exposures involving adults predominantly (91% of cases). Exposure chronicity was acute in 43%, acute-on-chronic in 46%, and chronic in 11%, with the most common reason for an exposure call being an unintentional therapeutic error (70.6%). The most common management sites were on-site in 72% of cases and within a health care facility for 26%. Bleeding events and coagulopathies were the most commonly observed clinical effects. Treatments administered included activated charcoal, blood and coagulation products, hemodialysis, and supportive measures. Confirmed outcomes included death in 13 patients (1.6%), major effects in 23 (2.9%), and moderate effects in 50 (6.2%). More severe outcomes were significantly associated with adverse drug reactions, patients ≥65 years of age, those treated with blood and coagulation products and/or dialysis, and renal dysfunction (P < .05). Children experienced few moderate effects and no major effects or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Severe outcomes from dabigatran exposures were not common, occurring in approximately 5% of cases.

Multiple seizures after bupropion overdose in a small child.

Unintentional ingestion of bupropion in young children has generally resulted in limited toxicity. We report a case of pediatric bupropion ingestion resulting in multiple seizures. The patient experienced hallucinations, agitation, vomiting, tachycardia and seizures after ingestion of 1050 (48 mg/kg) of extended-release bupropion. The potential for severe toxicity in the setting of pediatric overdose should be recognized.