Citation

Dasari S, Naha K. Asian Pac. J. Trop. Biomed. 2011; 1(Suppl 2): S303-S304.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Asian Pacific Tropical Biomedical Publishing, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60177-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A 22-year-old male presented with severe myalgias and backache of acute onset, as well as one episode of opisthotonus. On repeated questioning, he admitted to having consumed leaves of Strychnos nux-vomica with suicidal intent. He was treated conservatively with intravenous diazepam and analgesia and made a complete recovery. Strychnine poisoning is rarely encountered and poisoning by consumption of leaves is even rarer. This case demonstrates the potent toxicity of strychnine as well as the effectiveness of therapy when initiated early.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; male; case report; suicide attempt; disease severity; article; analgesic agent; priority journal; diazepam; backache; drug efficacy; myalgia; creatine kinase; conservative treatment; laboratory test; muscle disease; outcome assessment; creatine kinase blood level; plant intoxication; opisthotonus; Opisthotonus; strychnine; muscle tenderness; plant identification; Strychnine poisoning; Strychnos nux vomica; Strychnos nux-vomica; Strychnos nux-vomica leaves; Strychnos toxifera