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Toxidromes and a general approach to poisoning

Robert J Hoffman1, Andrea Nillas2

  • 1Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA Robert.Hoffman@utsouthwestern.edu.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|February 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Recognizing toxidromes, distinct poisoning patterns like opioid or anticholinergic, aids rapid diagnosis. Understanding receptor effects and management strategies is crucial for acute poisoning cases.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • A toxidrome is a specific pattern of clinical effects resulting from poisoning.
  • Established toxidromes include opioid, anticholinergic, cholinergic, and sympathomimetic.
  • The GABAergic toxidrome is also recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the concept of toxidromes in acute poisoning.
  • To discuss initial assessment and general management approaches.
  • To detail receptor-level effects, clinical signs, and the role of antidotes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of toxidromes and poisoning management.
  • Analysis of receptor effects and clinical presentations.
  • Discussion of treatment strategies, including antidotes.

Main Results:

  • Toxidromes provide a framework for rapid poisoning recognition.
  • Understanding receptor pharmacology is key to identifying specific toxidromes.
  • Antidotes play a vital role in treating poisonings based on toxidrome identification.

Conclusions:

  • Knowledge of toxidromes facilitates efficient diagnosis and management of acute poisonings.
  • Clinical resources are available for detailed guidance on poisoning treatment.
  • This review emphasizes the importance of pattern recognition in toxicology.
Keywords:
Emergency CareIntensive Care Units, PaediatricPaediatric Emergency MedicinePharmacologyToxicology

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