Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
09:32
Protocols for Testing the Toxicity of Novel Insecticidal Chemistries to Mosquitoes
Published on: February 13, 2019
Acute amitraz intoxication: retrospective analysis of 45 cases
Y Demirel1, A Yilmaz, S Gursoy
1Department of Family Medicine, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas, Turkey. ydemirel@cumhuriyet.edu.tr
Human & Experimental Toxicology
|December 15, 2006
Summary
Amitraz oral intoxication, often from suicide attempts, presents with symptoms like unconsciousness and vomiting but has a benign prognosis. Patients recover fully with intensive care unit monitoring, showing no long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Amitraz is an insecticide with potential for toxic exposure.
- Oral ingestion of amitraz can lead to significant clinical manifestations requiring medical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with oral amitraz intoxication.
- To evaluate the outcomes and prognosis of amitraz poisoning.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study design.
- Inclusion of 45 patients admitted to a university hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for amitraz intoxication.
- Data collection on patient demographics, route of exposure, clinical signs, laboratory findings, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- The majority of cases (67%) were intentional (suicide attempts).
- Common initial symptoms included unconsciousness, nausea, and vomiting. Major ICU findings were bradycardia, miosis, hypothermia, hyperglycemia, hypotension, coma, and respiratory depression.
- Despite severe initial symptoms, all patients recovered without neurological sequelae, with ICU stays ranging from 2 to 15 days. A pregnant patient had no adverse fetal outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Oral amitraz intoxication generally has a favorable prognosis with complete recovery.
- Close monitoring and management in an ICU setting are crucial for patients with amitraz poisoning.
- Early recognition and supportive care can prevent severe complications and ensure good outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
01:26Physical Properties of Amines
Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
01:30Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
01:00Drug Toxicity: Overview
Drug toxicity quantifies the harm a compound causes to an organism, varying by dose and potentially impacting whole systems or specific organs like the liver. Toxic reactions may arise from venomous insect or spider bites, with effects ranging from mild symptoms to severe outcomes such as brain damage or death. Common forms of acute poisoning include ethanol intoxication and overdose of pain or fever medications, with substances like GHB and heroin being particularly lethal at doses close to...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...