Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
16:02
Demonstration of the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility Tool for Rapid Assessment of Protein Conservation
Published on: February 10, 2023
3.2K
Toxicology updates in emergency medicine
Ryan Feldman1, Jeremy Lund2, Jessica Rivera Pescatore3
1Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; School of Pharmacy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; and Department of Pharmacy, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Summary
Emergency medicine pharmacists manage diverse toxicities, including overdoses and envenomations. This review covers updated guidelines, antidotes, and illicit substance toxicities for optimized patient care.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Emergency medicine (EM) pharmacists are crucial in managing various toxicities like overdoses, substance use, exposures, and envenomations.
- Their expertise in pharmacotherapy and drug mechanisms aids in toxin assessment and patient care collaboration.
- The dynamic nature of toxicology presents challenges in staying updated with new toxins and treatment paradigms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of key toxicology topics for EM pharmacists.
- To emphasize areas where EM pharmacist expertise is essential and frequently requested.
- To update knowledge on managing common overdoses, novel toxins, and evolving illicit substance use.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent guidelines and evidence for toxicological management.
- Analysis of established antidotes and their evolving roles.
- Discussion of toxicities related to emerging illicit substances.
Main Results:
- Highlights recent guidelines impacting overdose management.
- Reviews evidence for antidotes like intravenous lipid emulsion, N-acetylcysteine, fomepizole, and antivenin.
- Addresses the management of toxicities from the ever-evolving illicit substance landscape.
Conclusions:
- Equips EM pharmacists with knowledge for bedside management and institutional-level contributions.
- Empowers pharmacists to make informed recommendations for clinical management, education, protocol development, and formulary management.
- Enhances the role of EM pharmacists in addressing complex toxicology cases.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
1.8K
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
1.8K
01:26Enhanced Elimination of Poison
867
Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
867
01:17Antidotes
1.0K
Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
1.0K
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
1.2K
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
1.2K
01:36Types of Toxins
3.2K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.2K
01:26Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
1.5K
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
1.5K