1
|
Drevin G, Malbranque S, Jousset N, Férec S, Zabet D, Baudriller A, Briet M, Abbara C. Pharmacobezoar-Related Fatalities: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature. Ther Drug Monit 2024; 46:1-5. [PMID: 37941108 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pharmacobezoars develop after an acute overdose or during routine drug administration. Here, the authors present a case of fatal multidrug overdose involving a 62-year-old woman. Her usual treatment included tramadol extended-release, citalopram, and mirtazapine. Furthermore, she self-medicated and misused her husband's medications. The autopsy revealed the presence of a voluminous medication bezoar in the stomach. No mechanical complication was noted. Toxicologic analyses were performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, liquid chromatography with diode array detection, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection, and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Tramadol (34,000 mcg/L), O-desmethyltramadol (2200 mcg/L), propranolol (6000 mcg/L), bromazepam (2500 mcg/L), zopiclone (1200 mcg/L), and citalopram (700 mcg/L) were identified in femoral blood at toxic concentrations. Interestingly, the femoral blood and vitreous humor concentration ratio was approximately 0.7. Furthermore, an English exhaustive literature search was performed using several different electronic databases without any limiting period to identify published pharmacobezoar-related fatalities. Seventeen publications were identified reporting a total of 19 cases. Decedents' mean age was 47.6 years [0.8-79] and a clear female predominance emerged. Several drugs were involved in pharmacobezoar formation. Death was attributed to drug toxicity in 13 cases, and to mechanical complications and/or sepsis in 4 cases. A mixed cause of death was reported in 2 cases. Although rare, pharmacobezoars remain potentially lethal and raise challenges in therapeutic management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Drevin
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France
- Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Stéphane Malbranque
- Institut de Médecine légale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France; and
| | - Nathalie Jousset
- Université d'Angers, Angers, France
- Institut de Médecine légale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France; and
| | - Séverine Férec
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Donca Zabet
- Institut de Médecine légale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France; and
| | - Antoine Baudriller
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Marie Briet
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France
- Université d'Angers, Angers, France
- Laboratoire MitoVasc, UMR CNRS 6214 INSERM 1083, Angers, France
| | - Chadi Abbara
- Service de Pharmacologie-Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Angers, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Konecki C, Djerada Z, Azzouz B, Gozalo C, Fouley A, Cazaubon Y, Feliu C. Management of a delayed acetaminophen exposure after massive overdose: A case study. Therapie 2023; 78:751-754. [PMID: 36549957 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Konecki
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, HERVI EA 3801, 51097 Reims, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Service Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, 51, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51095 Reims, France
| | - Zoubir Djerada
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, HERVI EA 3801, 51097 Reims, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Service Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, 51, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51095 Reims, France.
| | - Brahim Azzouz
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, VieFra pôle recherche et santé publique, EA3797, 51097 Reims, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Service Pharmacovigilance, Reims, France
| | - Claire Gozalo
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, HERVI EA 3801, 51097 Reims, France
| | - Aurélie Fouley
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, HERVI EA 3801, 51097 Reims, France
| | - Yoann Cazaubon
- Université de Montpellier, Institut Desbrest d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IDESP), 34000 Montpellier, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Département de Pharmacologie, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Feliu
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, HERVI EA 3801, 51097 Reims, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Service Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, 51, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51095 Reims, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chidiac AS, Buckley NA, Noghrehchi F, Cairns R. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose and hepatotoxicity: mechanism, treatment, prevention measures, and estimates of burden of disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2023; 19:297-317. [PMID: 37436926 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2023.2223959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Paracetamol is one of the most used medicines worldwide and is the most common important poisoning in high-income countries. In overdose, paracetamol causes dose-dependent hepatotoxicity. Acetylcysteine is an effective antidote, however despite its use hepatotoxicity and many deaths still occur. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes paracetamol overdose and toxicity (including mechanisms, risk factors, risk assessment, and treatment). In addition, we summarize the epidemiology of paracetamol overdose worldwide. A literature search on PubMed for poisoning epidemiology and mortality from 1 January 2017 to 26 October 2022 was performed to estimate rates of paracetamol overdose, liver injury, and deaths worldwide. EXPERT OPINION Paracetamol is widely available and yet is substantially more toxic than other analgesics available without prescription. Where data were available, we estimate that paracetamol is involved in 6% of poisonings, 56% of severe acute liver injury and acute liver failure, and 7% of drug-induced liver injury. These estimates are limited by lack of available data from many countries, particularly in Asia, South America, and Africa. Harm reduction from paracetamol is possible through better identification of high-risk overdoses, and better treatment regimens. Large overdoses and those involving modified-release paracetamol are high-risk and can be targeted through legislative change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle S Chidiac
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Buckley
- New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Discipline of Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Firouzeh Noghrehchi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Discipline of Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rose Cairns
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zillen D, Movig KLL, Kant G, Masselink JB, Mian P. Impact of malnourishment on the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen and susceptibility to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. Clin Case Rep 2021; 9:e04611. [PMID: 34815870 PMCID: PMC8593780 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.4611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity is thought to be primarily caused by formation of the specific reactive metabolite N-acetyl-para-benzo-quinone imine (NAPQI). Malnourished individuals are at increased risk of acetaminophen-related hepatotoxicity. We report a case of low acetaminophen clearance in a severely underweight young woman, and elaborate on the possible effects of malnutrition on the total clearance of acetaminophen as well as on the separate contributions of the different metabolic pathways. CASE REPORT An 18-year-old Caucasian woman weighing 43 kg with a history of eating disorder-related hospital admissions presented at the emergency department after having ingested 33 tablets of acetaminophen 500 mg two hours earlier. She then received intravenous N-acetylcysteine for 33 h. Nine hours after ingestion, the acetaminophen elimination half-life (t½) was estimated to be >100 h. DISCUSSION While decreased total acetaminophen clearance (twofold) due to malnutrition has been reported in literature, the extremely low clearance in this specific patient cannot be explained. Malnourished individuals generally have reduced antioxidant reserves, coinciding with a shift in metabolic routes toward oxidative metabolism. This may result in increased formation of NAPQI and reduced neutralizing capacity, thereby increasing the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Evidence for this observation can be found in animal and to a lesser extent in human studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daan Zillen
- Department of Clinical PharmacyMedisch Spectrum TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
| | - Kris L. L. Movig
- Department of Clinical PharmacyMedisch Spectrum TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
| | - Gert Kant
- Department of Internal MedicineMedisch Spectrum TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
| | - Joost B. Masselink
- Department of Clinical PharmacyMedisch Spectrum TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
| | - Paola Mian
- Department of Clinical PharmacyMedisch Spectrum TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hoegberg LCG, Shepherd G, Wood DM, Johnson J, Hoffman RS, Caravati EM, Chan WL, Smith SW, Olson KR, Gosselin S. Systematic review on the use of activated charcoal for gastrointestinal decontamination following acute oral overdose. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021; 59:1196-1227. [PMID: 34424785 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2021.1961144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of activated charcoal in poisoning remains both a pillar of modern toxicology and a source of debate. Following the publication of the joint position statements on the use of single-dose and multiple-dose activated charcoal by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists, the routine use of activated charcoal declined. Over subsequent years, many new pharmaceuticals became available in modified or alternative-release formulations and additional data on gastric emptying time in poisoning was published, challenging previous assumptions about absorption kinetics. The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists and the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology founded the Clinical Toxicology Recommendations Collaborative to create a framework for evidence-based recommendations for the management of poisoned patients. The activated charcoal workgroup of the Clinical Toxicology Recommendations Collaborative was tasked with reviewing systematically the evidence pertaining to the use of activated charcoal in poisoning in order to update the previous recommendations. OBJECTIVES The main objective was: Does oral activated charcoal given to adults or children prevent toxicity or improve clinical outcome and survival of poisoned patients compared to those who do not receive charcoal? Secondary objectives were to evaluate pharmacokinetic outcomes, the role of cathartics, and adverse events to charcoal administration. This systematic review summarizes the available evidence on the efficacy of activated charcoal. METHODS A medical librarian created a systematic search strategy for Medline (Ovid), subsequently translated for Embase (via Ovid), CINAHL (via EBSCO), BIOSIS Previews (via Ovid), Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library/DARE. All databases were searched from inception to December 31, 2019. There were no language limitations. One author screened all citations identified in the search based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Excluded citations were confirmed by an additional author and remaining articles were obtained in full text and evaluated by at least two authors for inclusion. All authors cross-referenced full-text articles to identify articles missed in the searches. Data from included articles were extracted by the authors on a standardized spreadsheet and two authors used the GRADE methodology to independently assess the quality and risk of bias of each included study. RESULTS From 22,950 titles originally identified, the final data set consisted of 296 human studies, 118 animal studies, and 145 in vitro studies. Also included were 71 human and two animal studies that reported adverse events. The quality was judged to have a Low or Very Low GRADE in 469 (83%) of the studies. Ninety studies were judged to be of Moderate or High GRADE. The higher GRADE studies reported on the following drugs: paracetamol (acetaminophen), phenobarbital, carbamazepine, cardiac glycosides (digoxin and oleander), ethanol, iron, salicylates, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and valproate. Data on newer pharmaceuticals not reviewed in the previous American Academy of Clinical Toxicology/European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists statements such as quetiapine, olanzapine, citalopram, and Factor Xa inhibitors were included. No studies on the optimal dosing for either single-dose or multiple-dose activated charcoal were found. In the reviewed clinical data, the time of administration of the first dose of charcoal was beyond one hour in 97% (n = 1006 individuals), beyond two hours in 36% (n = 491 individuals), and beyond 12 h in 4% (n = 43 individuals) whereas the timing of the first dose in controlled studies was within one hour of ingestion in 48% (n = 2359 individuals) and beyond two hours in 36% (n = 484) of individuals. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review found heterogenous data. The higher GRADE data was focused on a few select poisonings, while studies that addressed patients with unknown and or mixed ingestions were hampered by low rates of clinically meaningful toxicity or death. Despite these limitations, they reported a benefit of activated charcoal beyond one hour in many clinical scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lotte C G Hoegberg
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Danish Poisons Information Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Greene Shepherd
- Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK.,Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jami Johnson
- Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Robert S Hoffman
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Martin Caravati
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Wui Ling Chan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Silas W Smith
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kent R Olson
- California Poison Control System, San Francisco Division, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Sophie Gosselin
- Emergency Department CISSS Montérégie Centre, Greenfield Park, Canada.,Centre antipoison du Québec, Québec, Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine, McGill Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Basílio F, Dinis-Oliveira RJ. Clinical and Forensic Aspects of Pharmacobezoars. Curr Drug Res Rev 2020; 12:118-130. [PMID: 32065097 DOI: 10.2174/2589977512666200217094018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacobezoars are specific types of bezoars formed when medicines, such as tablets, suspensions, and/or drug delivery systems, aggregate and may cause death by occluding airways with tenacious material or by eluting drugs resulting in toxic or lethal blood concentrations. OBJECTIVE This work aims to fully review the state-of-the-art regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant clinical and forensic features of pharmacobezoars. RESULTS Patients of a wide range of ages and of both sexes present with signs and symptoms of intoxications or more commonly gastrointestinal obstructions. The exact mechanisms of pharmacobezoar formation are unknown but are likely multifactorial. The diagnosis and treatment depend on the gastrointestinal segment affected and should be personalized to the medication and the underlying factor. A good and complete history, physical examination, image tests, upper endoscopy, and surgery through laparotomy of the lower tract are useful for diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION Pharmacobezoars are rarely seen in clinical and forensic practice. They are related to controlled or immediate-release formulations, liquid, or non-digestible substances, in normal or altered digestive motility/anatomy tract, and in overdoses or therapeutic doses, and should be suspected in the presence of risk factors or patients taking drugs which may form pharmacobezoars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Basílio
- Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
- Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|