Citation

Pajoumand A, Jalali N, Abdollahi M, Shadnia S. J. Pharm. Pract. Res. 2002; 32(4): 297-299.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia)

DOI

10.1002/jppr2002324297

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

AIM: To describe the treatment and successful outcome of a patient who had taken an amount of aluminium phosphide that would normally be lethal. Case report: A 47-year-old woman was admitted two hours after ingesting 16.8 g of aluminium phosphide with suicidal intent. Treatment consisted of: gastric lavage with potassium permanganate solution; intravenous bicarbonate, magnesium and calcium; and oral bicarbonate and coconut oil. Supportive therapy in intensive care was also provided. Her clinical course included hypotension, metabolic acidosis and liver dysfunction.

DISCUSSION: Aluminium phosphide produces phosphine gas and is used to control rodents in grain storage facilities. This patient had apparently ingested what would normally be a lethal amount of aluminium phosphide and had signs and symptoms of severe toxicity. She survived following rapid treatment and supportive care. Recommended measures to limit absorption and phosphine toxicity may have contributed to survival.

Language: en

Keywords

activated carbon; adult; aluminum phosphide; article; bicarbonate; case report; cimetidine; clinical feature; coconut oil; disease course; disease severity; dobutamine; dopamine; female; gluconate calcium; human; hypotension; intensive care; intoxication; liver dysfunction; magnesium sulfate; metabolic acidosis; permanganate potassium; pest control; phosphine; rodent; stomach lavage; suicide; survival; treatment outcome