An antidote is a therapeutic substance used to counteract the toxic action(s) of a speci?c substance. Very few substances have an antidote.
Treatment Administration of oxygen when available is the most important ?rst-aid management. Rescuers should be trained, must not put themselves at risk, and should use protective clothing and breathing apparatus. In unconscious victims, establish a clear airway and give 100 per cent oxygen. If breathing stops and oxygen is unavailable, initiate expired-air resuscitation. If cyanide salts were ingested, mouth-to-mouth contact must be avoided and a mask with a one-way valve employed instead. Some commercially available ?rst-aid kits contain AMYL NITRATE as an antidote which may be employed if oxygen is unavailable.
Once in hospital, or if a trained physician is on the scene, then antidotes may be administered. There are several di?erent intravenous antidotes that may be used either alone or in combination. In mild to moderate cases, sodium thiosulphate is usually given. In more severe cases either dicobalt edetate or sodium nitrite may be used, followed by sodium thio-sulphate. Some of these (e.g. dicobalt edetate) should be given only where diagnosis is certain, otherwise serious adverse reations or toxicity due to the antidotes may occur.... cyanide poisoning
An overdose of paracetamol is a common choice of those attempting to commit suicide. Since the government restricted the number of paracetamol tablets an individual may purchase over the counter, the incidence of people taking the drug in overdose with the intention of taking their lives has fallen sharply.... paracetamol poisoning
Internal. Restricted dose: 10mg. Maximum daily dose: 30mg.
Historical. 1-2 drops on sugar 2-3 times daily, internally, to reduce troublesome sex-urge: priapism or nymphomania. Hourly, such doses were once classical treatment for cholera.
Liniment. 10 drops oil of Camphor to egg-cup Olive oil. Massage for relief of lumbago, fibrositis, neuralgia, chest and muscle pain.
Inhalant: Inhale the fumes for respiratory oppression with difficult breathing, heart failure, collapse, shock from injury, hypothermia, tobacco habit.
Camphor locket. A small square is sometimes hung in a small linen bag round the neck for prevention of infection, colds.
Camphorated oil: 1oz (30g) Flowers of Camphor to 4oz (125g) peanut oil. Dissolve in gentle heat. Camphor lotion. Dissolve teaspoon (4-6g) Camphor flowers in 4oz Cider vinegar.
GSL as restricted dose above.
Camphor Drops. At one time a bottle brandy with a knob of Camphor at the bottom was kept in every pantry to restore vitality and warmth to those suffering from exposure to cold and damp. One drop of the mixture in honey rapidly invigorates, imparts energy, and sustains the heart. A reaction is evoked almost immediately; it is harmlessly repeated hourly. Camphor should be given alone as it antidotes many drugs and other remedies. ... camphor
The concept of the dose-response is important for understanding the risk of exposure to a particular substance. This is embodied in a statement by Paracelsus (c.1493–1541): ‘All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose di?erentiates a poison and a remedy.’
Poisoning may occur in a variety of ways: deliberate – SUICIDE, substance abuse or murder; accidental – including accidental overdose of medicines; occupational; and environmental
– including exposure during ?re.
Ingestion is the most common route of exposure, but poisoning may also occur through inhalation, absorption through the skin, by injection and through bites and stings of venomous animals. Poisoning may be described as acute, where a single exposure produces clinical effects with a relatively rapid onset; or chronic, where prolonged or repeated exposures may produce clinical effects which may be insidious in onset, cumulative and in some cases permanent.
Diagnosis of poisoning is usually by circumstantial evidence or elimination of other causes of the clinical condition of the patient. Some substances (e.g. opioids) produce a characteristic clinical picture in overdose that can help with diagnosis. In some patients laboratory analysis of body ?uids or the substance taken may be useful to determine or con?rm the o?ending agent. Routine assays are not necessary. For a very small number of poisons, such as paracetamol, aspirin, iron and lead, the management of the patient may depend on measuring the amount of poison in the bloodstream.
Accurate statistics on the incidence of poisoning in the UK are lacking. Mortality ?gures are more reliable than morbidity statistics; annually, well over 100,000 cases of poisoning are admitted to hospital. The annual number of deaths from poisoning is relatively small – about 300 – and in most cases patients die before reaching hospital. Currently, CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) is by far the most common cause of death due to poisoning. The most common agents involved in intentional or accidental poisoning are drugs, particularly ANALGESICS, ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS and SEDATIVES. Alcohol is also commonly taken by adults, usually in combination with drugs. Children frequently swallow household cleaners, white spirit, plant material – such as belladonna (deadly nightshade) and certain mushrooms; for example, death cap and ?y agaric – aftershave and perfume as well as drugs. If possible, the suspect container, drug or plant should be taken with the victim to the hospital or doctor. The use of child-resistant containers has reduced the number of admissions of children to hospital for treatment. Bixtrex® is an intensely bitter-tasting agent which is often added to products to discourage ingestion; however, not everybody is able to taste it, nor has any bene?cial e?ect been proven.
Treatment of poisoning usually begins with decontamination procedures. For ingested substances this may involve making the patient sick or washing the stomach out (GASTRIC LAVAGE): this is usually only worthwhile if performed soon after ingestion. It should be emphasised that salt (sodium chloride) water must never be given to induce vomiting, since this procedure is dangerous and has caused death. For substances spilt on the skin, the affected area should immediately be thoroughly washed and all contaminated clothing removed. Following eye exposure, the affected eye/s should be thoroughly irrigated with saline or water.
Treatment thereafter is generally symptomatic and supportive, with maintenance of the victim’s respiratory, neurological and cardiovascular systems and, where appropriate, monitoring of their ?uid and electrolyte balance and hepatic and renal function. There are speci?c antidotes for a few substances: the most important of these are PARACETAMOL, iron, cyanide (see CYANIDE POISONING), opioids (see OPIOID), DIGOXIN, insecticides and some heavy metals. Heavy-metal poisoning is treated with CHELATING AGENTS – chemical compounds that form complexes by binding metal ions: desferrioxamine and pencillinamine are two such agents. The number of people presenting with paracetamol overdose – a common drug used for attempted suicide – has fallen sharply since restrictions were placed on its over-thecounter sales.
When a patient presents with an illness thought to be caused by exposure to substances at work, further exposure should be limited or prevented and investigations undertaken to determine the source and extent of the problem. Acutely poisoned workers will usually go to hospital, but those suffering from chronic exposure may attend their GP with non-speci?c symptoms (see OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, MEDICINE AND DISEASES).
In recent years, legislation has been enacted in the UK to improve safety in the workplace and to ensure that data on the hazardous constituents and effects of chemicals are more readily available. These o?cial controls include the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations (CHIP) and are UK legislation in response to European Union directives.
The National Poisons Information Service is a 24-hour emergency telephone service available to the medical profession and provides information on the likely effects of numerous agents and advice on the management of the poisoned patient. The telephone numbers are available in the medical literature. In the UK this is not a public-access service. People who believe they, or their relatives, have been poisoned should seek medical advice from their GPs or attend their local hospital.
Toxbase The National Poisons Information Service provides a primary clinical toxicology database on the Internet: www.spib.axl.co.uk. This website provides information about routine diagnosis, treatment and management of people exposed to drugs, household products and industrial and agricultural products.
(See also APPENDIX 1: BASIC FIRST AID.)... poisons
Constituents: caffeine, aromatic oil, tannic acid, B vitamins.
Action. General stimulant, anti-emetic, anti-narcotic, diuretic.
Uses: A valuable agent medicinally but over-consumption may be followed by a wide range of symptoms. See: CAFFEINISM. Used for fatigue, drowsiness, headache and to reduce effects of alcohol.
Coffee stimulates the activities of all organs, increasing nervous and circulatory activity. An excess produces nervous agitation, restlessness and is the cause of many allergies. A direct heart stimulant, diuretic, it raises blood pressure hence is useful for revival in threatened heart failure or weakness.
Caffeine is present also in tea and cola drinks. Coffee is the most widely used psychotropic agent: any excess is associated with anxiety, depression and reduction of blood flow through the brain. Antagonistic to some drugs, but potentiates the action of aspirin and paracetamol. Rapidly rectifies over-dosing of many drugs. Taken with caution in pregnancy. Antidotes some poisons and neutralises therapeutic effects of many herbs. Should be avoided by those undergoing a course of herbal treatment.
Excess caffeine, as in coffee, tea, cola and chocolate, has been shown to be a factor in the development of fibrocystic breast disease in women, and breast cancer increased. (Dr John P. Minton, in “Surgery”)
Women who drank between 8 to 25 cups of coffee a day during pregnancy had children with an absence of fingers or parts of digits of hands and feet. A number of authorities claim a link between coffee and birth defects. Cases of premenstrual tension (PMT) have improved on giving up coffee.
Coffee depletes the body of B-vitamins. ... coffee
Symptoms: Red itching eyes, clear nasal discharge progressing to yellow and thick, slight sore throat, sneezing, mild fever, headache, blocked or running nose, malaise.
The alternative school of medicine believes a cold should not be suppressed with popular drugs of the day but allowed to run its course. That course may be dramatically reduced by use of herbs. A cold is sometimes an acute healing crisis in which Nature expels accumulated wastes and toxins. Diaphoretics promote sweating, aiding this process.
Alternatives. Teas may be made from any of the following: Elderflowers, Peppermint, Catmint, Bayberry, Boneset, White Horehound, Feverfew, St John’s Wort.
Alternatives. Formulae:– Equal parts:– (1) Elderflowers and Peppermint. (2) Yarrow and Peppermint. (3) White Horehound and Hyssop. 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup freely. A trace of Cayenne Pepper enhances potency and stimulates circulation.
Decoction. Prepared from Horseradish, Pleurisy root, Prickly Ash, Bayberry. Teaspoon, of any one, to two cups water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup freely. Pinch of Cayenne enhances action.
Irish Moss. 1 teaspoon to 2 cups water simmered gently 20 minutes. Do not strain. Eat with a spoon with honey.
Powders. Composition. 1 teaspoon to cup of tea, or hot drink.
Powders. Formula. Bayberry bark 2; Ginger 1; Pleurisy root 1. Cayenne quarter. Sift. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.
Tablets/capsules. Lobelia. Iceland Moss. Vitamin C. Feverfew.
Essence of Cinnamon. Popular traditional herbal expectorant to help relieve symptoms of cold and flu. Composition essence and Elderflowers and Peppermint. 2 teaspoons in hot water or cup of tea every 3 hours. Children less according to age.
Life Drops. See entry.
Practitioner. Colds with fever, cardiac excitability and distress out of all proportion to the infection: Tincture Gelsemium, 3-5 drops.
Laxative. A mild laxative may be advised (5-7 Senna pods, infused in cup of boiling water, or Senacot). A healthy bowel movement may cut short a cold by assisting elimination.
Aromatherapy. Few drops of any of the following antiseptic oils added to a bowl of boiling water, head covered with a towel, steam inhaled: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Marjoram, Thyme, Niaouli. Oil of Camphor is most effective, but as it antidotes all other medicaments, should be used alone. Oil of Scots Pine (5-10 drops) used in bath. Tiger Balm. Olbas oil.
Diet. 3-day fast; no solid food, herb teas and fruit juices only. Citrus fruits (Vitamin C) in abundance. Hot lemon and honey.
Supplementation. Daily. Vitamin A (7500iu), B-complex (50mg), C (3 grams at onset: 2 grams every 3 hours thereafter).
Prophylaxis, winter months. Daily: Vitamin C (Rose Hip, Acerola, etc), Echinacea. 2 Garlic capsules at night to build-up body’s resistance. ... colds
Action: tonic, pectoral, diaphoretic. Expectorant.
Uses: Dyspepsia, cough, dysentery, violent itching, chest infections. Cold shivery conditions with chattering teeth. Inflamed or malignant sore throat – to cleanse and sweeten bad breath. Antidotes the effects of alcohol. Gout.
External: gnat bites and punctured wounds, (Dr Teste) bee-sting, needle-pricks leading to whitlow, body lice, (strong decoction).
Ledum palustre (Marsh tea, Wild Rosemary, Porsch), is more powerful than Ledum latifolium – for practitioner use only.
Preparation. Average dose: 1-4g.
Tea. Quarter to half a teaspoon to cup water, gently simmer 15 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup. ... labrador tea
Drug poisoning may cause drowsiness and breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat, and, rarely, cardiac arrest, fits, and kidney and liver damage.
Antiarrhythmic drugs are given to treat heartbeat irregularity.
Fits are treated with anticonvulsants.
Blood tests to monitor liver function and careful monitoring of urine output are carried out if the drug is known to damage the liver or kidneys.... drug poisoning
of reducing pain and providing nursing care until the oesophagus heals.
Reflux oesophagitis is due to poor function of the muscles in the lower oesophagus, which permits the stomach’s acidic contents to rise back into the oesophagus (see acid reflux). The main symptom, heartburn, may be worsened by alcohol, smoking, and obesity. Poor function of the lower oesophagus may be linked with a hiatus hernia. Treatment focuses on diet and lifestyle changes. Antacid drugs help to reduce acidity. Surgical treatment may be necessary for a hiatus hernia.
Barrett’s oesophagus, a complication of reflux oesophagitis, may lead to cancer. Severe, chronic oesophagitis can cause an oesophageal stricture.... oesophagitis
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