Podcast 732: Organophosphate Toxicity

Emergency Medical Minute

Educational Pearls:

• Organophosphates affect the cholinergic system by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase affecting muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
• Symptoms include lacrimation, salivation, bronchoconstriction, blurred vision, bradycardia, bronchorrhea, emesis, and diarrhea
• Initially, the patient should be decontaminated to prevent further organophosphate exposure
• Treatment consists of atropine every 5 minutes, 1-3 mg to start and doubling the dose each time it is given until reversal of symptoms is seen
• Atropine only works on muscarinic receptors, so nicotinic receptor activation continues despite atropine administration resulting in muscle contractions and eventually respiratory arrest
• Pralidoxime (2-PAM) should also be given to prevent the nicotinic effects and maturation of the organophosphate-acetylcholinesterase complex

References

Robb EL, Baker MB. Organophosphate Toxicity. [Updated 2021 Jul 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470430/

Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD

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