Re: E-DRUG: Help wanted: Paraquat poisoning

[joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca (Joel Lexchin)]

E-DRUG: Help wanted: Paraquat poisoning (2)
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Successful treatment of paraquat toxicity is  extremely time 
dependent. The key to treatment is aggressive decontamination 
measures to limit absorption.  For dermal contact thorough skin 
cleansing is necessary.  For ingestions, aggressive gastric lavage 
and administration of activated charcoal are recommended.  Although it 
is controversial, most clinician recommend rapid initiation of 
charcoal hemoperfusion to lower plasma paraquat levels to limit 
pulmonary and other organ system uptake of paraquat.  Many clinicians 
have also recommended serial or combined hemoperfusion and 
hemodialysis, particularly in the first 24 hours after exposure.

Joel Lexchin MD
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA M5R 2X8
Phone:  (416)-964-7186
Fax:  (416)-923-9515
e mail:  joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca

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