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Intentional insulin overdose may lead to severe and refractory hypoglycemia. Exogenous dextrose administration is the mainstay of therapy for these patients and is effective in most cases. However, in patients with a functional pancreas, exogenous dextrose administration may precipitate endogenous insulin release leading to rebound hypoglycemia. We describe a case report of a 41-year-old woman who injected 300 units of insulin aspart with suicidal intent. Her initial blood glucose was 2.3 mmol/L (41 mg/dL). Over the next 12 hours, she experienced recurrent hypoglycemic episodes despite 10% dextrose infusions and 14 ampoules of 50% dextrose. Our patient experienced complications, including peripheral edema, related to the large volumes of intravenous dextrose required to attempt to maintain euglycemia. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, may help prevent dextrose-induced hypoglycemia and improve the management in select insulin overdose patients; large infusion volumes resulted in significant peripheral edema. Treatment with octreotide was initiated 12.5 hours post-injection and was followed by a stabilization of blood glucose concentration in this non-diabetic patient.

Rationale: Vortioxetine is a new multimodal antidepressant approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and recently introduced in Europe. While antidepressant properties of vortioxetine and its tolerability have been demonstrated by preclinical and clinical studies data on the safety of vortioxetine after overdose are still lacking., Patient Concerns: A 50-year-old Caucasian man presenting a severe depressive episode that in a suicide attempt he took vortioxetine at 250 mg., Diagnoses: Suicide attempt by vortioxetine in a patient affected by Major Depressive Disorder., Interventions: General evaluations and gastric lavage with 2 L of water plus 50 g of activated charcoal was performed. After 12 hours of clinical stability, the patient was discharged from the emergency department and considering the suicidal ideation he was admitted to the inpatients psychiatric department., Outcomes: After vortioxetine overdose the patient displayed no clinical signs or symptoms resulting from the exposure suggesting a good safety in overdose., Lesson: Overdose safety of different antidepressant drugs is a matter of great considering that overdose in individuals affected by Major Depressive Disorder frequently involves prescribed antidepressants. Previous studies showed wide variation in the relative toxicity of different antidepressant drugs with higher toxicity for tricyclic antidepressants, followed by venlafaxine bupropion and mirtazapine and lower for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. By now there is limited clinical trial experience regarding human overdose with vortioxetine and the maximum single dose tested was 75 mg in men associated with increased rates of nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, generalized pruritus, somnolence, and flushing. Even if there is still limited available evidence and further investigation is needed to better understand the potential risk of vortioxetine overdose; from our case, it seems that vortioxetine overdose at 250 mg (12 times the common daily dose) showed no signs or symptoms resulting from the exposure suggesting a good safety in overdose.

Introduction: Pramipexole is a dopamine D 2 receptor agonist used to treat idiopathic Parkinson's disease and primary restless legs syndrome. There is limited information on pramipexole overdose., Case Report: A 59-year-old male ingested 3 mg pramipexole, 2250 mg venlafaxine, 360 mg mirtazapine, with suicidal intent. He presented alert, had normal vital observations and normal pupillary reflexes. He was mildly agitated, reported visual hallucinations and was given 5 mg diazepam. He had a mildly elevated lactate of 1.7 mmol/L, but otherwise normal laboratory investigations. Overnight, he remained agitated with visual hallucinations and developed myoclonus while awake. He had increasing difficulty passing urine on a background of mild chronic urinary retention. On review, 14 h post-ingestion, he was hypervigilant, jittery and mildly agitated. He had pressured speech and difficulty focusing on questioning. He had a heart rate of 110 bpm, but had an otherwise normal examination, with no clonus or extrapyramidal effects. He was unable to mobilize due to dizziness and ataxia. Over the next few hours, he improved, the visual hallucinations and agitation resolved and he mobilized independently. Pramipexole was measured with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The initial plasma pramipexole concentration was 34.2 ng/mL (therapeutic range 0.2 to 7 ng/mL), 9 h post-overdose. Concentration time data fitted a one-compartment model with an estimated elimination half-life of 18 h., Discussion: Pramipexole overdose with hallucination, agitation, and myoclonus is consistent with adverse effects reported with therapeutic toxicity, but mirtazapine and venlafaxine may have contributed. Pramipexole concentrations exceeded the therapeutic range for over 24 h. With the increasing use of pramipexole in restless legs syndrome, adult overdoses may become more common.

Loperamide is an over-the-counter, peripherally acting, μ-opioid receptor agonist used for the treatment of diarrhea. In recent times users have found that at higher doses, loperamide crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches central μ-receptors in the brain, leading to central opiate effects including euphoria and respiratory depression. We report a case of a 37-year-old female who attempted suicide with over 200 loperamide tablets. During her overdose, her QTc was significantly prolonged at >600 ms. Our case aims to add to the growing body of literature describing life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias associated with loperamide toxicity and further suggests that a metabolite of loperamide, desmethylloperamide, may play a role in the pathogenesis.

Class Ic antiarrythmic overdose is associated with a relatively high mortality. We presenta case report regarding a suicidal intoxication of an 18-year old female with a medical history of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The preliminary examination highlighted a profound cardiovascular collapse. The electrocardiogram showed a PR interval extended to 360 ms. The QRS complexes were enlarged to 360 ms with a right bundle brunch block appearance associated with left posterior hemibloc. There were repolarization abnormalities such as elevation of the J-point, convex ST segment and biphasic T wave in the right precordial leads ("Brugada-Like ECG pattern"). Sodium bicarbonate was administered. A rapid decrease in the duration of the QRS complexes was noted as well as a slowing of the heart rate. The electrocardiogram aspect on the 4th day showed the reappearance of the ventricular pre-excitation. The severity and lethal potential of Flecainide poisoning are linked to the cardiotoxic effects of these molecules. The prognosis remains poor despite progress in intensive care procedures.

Baclofen is increasingly being used as an off label anti-craving agent in alcohol use disorders in various parts of the world. The lack of proper recommendations regarding the dosage has important implications for safety in clinical management. In this context, we report two patients who were started with Baclofen as an anti-craving agent, and later developed serious complications following acute self inflicted overdose. We also highlight the important mechanisms of such complications and precautions that needs to be exerted while prescribing., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: There are few data relating to sirolimus overdose in the medical literature. Our objectives were to describe all cases of overdose with sirolimus reported to Swiss, German and Austrian Poisons Centres between 2002-2013., Methods: An observational case-series analysis was performed to determine circumstances, magnitude, management and outcome of sirolimus overdose., Results: Five cases of acute sirolimus overdose were reported--three in young children and two in adults. Four were accidental and one was with suicidal intent. Two patients developed symptoms probably related to sirolimus overdose: mild elevation of alkaline phosphatase, fever and gastroenteritis in a 2.5-year-old male who ingested 3 mg, and mild changes in total cholesterol in an 18-year-old female after ingestion of 103 mg. None of these events were life-threatening. Serial blood concentration measurements were performed starting 24 h after ingestion of 103 mg in a single case, and these followed a similar pharmacokinetic time-course to measurements taken after dosing in the therapeutic range., Conclusions: Acute sirolimus overdose occurred accidentally in the majority of cases. Even large overdoses appeared to be well-tolerated, however children might be at greater risk of developing complications. Further study of sirolimus overdose is needed.

Introduction: Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) resuscitation is now frequently being used for severe overdoses due to lipophilic drugs. However, the optimal dose, duration, and safety are still unclear., Case Report: A patient with refractory cardiovascular collapse following an amitriptyline overdose was treated with ILE with initial improvement. Instability recurred after ILE discontinuation and lipid therapy was restarted, but high-dose treatment was complicated by severe lipemia. A low-dose infusion was instead used, and the patient did not experience further toxicity despite amitriptyline levels in the toxic range for 21 days. He survived to discharge without long-term sequelae., Discussion: A low-dose infusion of ILE was well tolerated and may have successfully prevented recurrent toxicity in a case of severe tricyclic antidepressant overdose.

Introduction: Physostigmine was once a widely used antidote for the treatment of antimuscarinic toxicity. However, reports describing the association of physostigmine with asystole and seizures in severe tricyclic antidepressant poisoning resulted in a decrease in use. Recent literature has demonstrated that physostigmine is a safe and effective antidote for the treatment of antimuscarinic toxicity. There are only two previously published articles regarding the use of physostigmine administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for persistent antimuscarinic toxicity. We present a case of physostigmine continuous infusion for the treatment of antimuscarinic symptoms in a polydrug overdose due to the ingestion of diphenhydramine along with bupropion, citalopram, acetaminophen, and naproxen., Case Presentation: A 13-year-old female presented with hyperthermia, myoclonus and rigidity, hallucinations, severe agitation, and antimuscarinic toxicity including inability to sweat after a polydrug overdose. Several doses of lorazepam were administered followed by physostigmine which produced resolution of hallucinations and attenuation of the antimuscarinic symptoms including perspiration, temperature improvement, and decreased agitation. After periods of improvement and recurrence of antimuscarinic effects, a continuous infusion of physostigmine was administered at 2 mg/h and continued for almost 8 h to maintain attenuation of symptoms. GABAergic agents including lorazepam and phenobarbital were used later in the hospital course for presumed symptoms of serotonergic and adrenergic toxicity after resolution of antimuscarinic effects. The patient did not experience any adverse effects of physostigmine administration., Discussion: Physostigmine administered as a continuous infusion may be a reasonable treatment option for severe and recurrent symptoms related to antimuscarinic toxicity.

Dipyridamole intoxication is rare and few reports exist amongst the current literature. A case of dipyridamole and paracetamol overdose is described in a previously healthy 58-year-old woman, which resulted in multi-organ failure requiring dialysis, inotropic support, ventilation and extensive surgical intervention for small bowel ischaemia. This case highlights the dangers of an unusually large overdose of a commonly prescribed drug, and reviews current knowledge of dipyridamole intoxication.

We document the first reported case of attempted suicide with the GLP-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide: a 33-year-old Japanese woman with type 2 diabetes reported subcutaneously injected 72 mg of liraglutide. She experienced gastrointestinal symptoms but no hypoglycemia., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the clinical and procedural characteristics of drug poisoning, to examine procedural differences between drug poisoning repeaters and non-repeaters, and to estimate the costs of drug poisoning., Methods: A retrospective cohort study of a nationally representative sample of 6585 inpatients with drug poisoning was conducted, using the administrative database of the Diagnosis Procedure Combination/Per-Diem Payment System in 2008., Results: Although only 3% of patients required surgery and 65% were discharged from the hospitals within 3 days, greater than 30% were admitted to tertiary emergency care (i.e., high-level emergency care) centers that provide care to severely ill and trauma patients who require intensive care. Only 30% of patients received psychiatric consultation during hospitalization. In addition, repeaters were less likely to be admitted to hospitals by ambulance (67% vs. 76%) and more likely to be discharged within 3 days (77% vs. 65%) than non-repeaters. The annual economic burden of drug poisoning in Japan was $66 million (¥7.7 billion), with the population aged 20-39 years accounting for 50% of these costs., Conclusion: This study highlights the need for optimally allocating resources and improving prevention strategies., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Baclofen is a lipophilic analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in central nervous system. The aim of the study was to evaluate some clinical aspects of acute intoxication with baclofen. Fifty two patients (37 females and 15 males) aged from 14 to 58 (mean 30.6 +/- 13.7) years were analyzed. Patients were admitted to the Clinic of Internal Diseases and Acute Poisonings Medical University of Gdańsk and the Centre of Acute Poisonings of Praski Hospital in Warszawa during the years 1996-2004 because of suicidal intoxication with baclofen. The doses of baclofen varied from 100 to 1500 (mean 444.8 +/- 317.8) mg. There were twenty eight patients (53.8%) in deep coma (III and IV grade of Matthew scale). Acute respiratory failure which required mechanical ventilation was observed in 18 cases (34.6%). Cardiac abnormalities included bradycardia (36.5%), hypertension (32.7%) and hypotension (3.8%). Toxic psychoses were observed in 6 cases (11.5%). The dosage of baclofen in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) was significantly higher than in patients without ARF. Treatment of patients with acute baclofen intoxication should take place in hospitals appropriately equipped which can provide artificial respiration.

Isoniazid (INH) is widely used in most prophylactic and therapeutic anti-tuberculosis regimens because of its effectiveness and low cost. Yet, INH poisoning appears to be rare. We report the first case of intentional INH overdosage in Singapore. A 26-year-old Filipino male presented with mental obtundation, recurrent seizures, metabolic acidosis and hepatic dysfunction. He was successfully treated with large doses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6). Recommendations for the management of acute INH toxicity are highlighted.