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Metabolic effects of metaproterenol overdose: hypokalemia, hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia
B A Barnewolt1, F G Walter, T A Bey
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
This case report of metaproterenol toxicity was associated with hypokalemia, hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia. A similar triad has been reported in acute theophylline poisoning. Hypokalemia and hyperglycemia have been reported with other beta-agonists, but not metaproterenol. Patients presenting with the metabolic triad of hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlactatemia should have theophylline and beta-agonist toxicity included in their differential diagnosis because the prognosis and therapy of these 2 intoxications is markedly different.
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