

Physostigmine is extremely similar to neostigmine, which is commonly used in intensive care units for management of colonic pseudo-obstruction (more on neostigmine here).

It inhibits degradation of acetylcholine within the synapse, thereby increasing acetylcholine signaling levels. Physostigmine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.If physostigmine causes a resolution of delirium, this establishes the presence of an anticholinergic toxidrome and removes the need for further neurodiagnostic testing. If anticholinergic intoxication is strongly suspected, then a physostigmine challenge may be used diagnostically (more on this below).Depending on the clinical context, additional studies may be considered (e.g., head CT scan and potentially lumbar puncture).If evidence of sodium channel blockade is found, this has important clinical implications (more on this below).įurther investigation of altered mental status.More on the EKG findings of sodium channel blockers here.This is essential to evaluate, especially for any evidence of sodium channel blocker activity (e.g., QRS widening and tall R-wave in aVR).Serum acetaminophen and salicylate levels.Creatinine kinase level (with a repeat value if concern for the evolution of rhabdomyolysis).Electrolytes, Ca/Mg/Phos, complete blood count.STAT fingerstick glucose, if mental status alteration.This will vary depending on the context, with common considerations including: Other causes of delirium (more in the delirium chapter here).
#Versed antidote plus#
#Versed antidote skin#
#Versed antidote full#
Mad as a hatter, blind as a bat, red as a beet, hot as a hare, dry as a bone, full as a flask. Diphenhydramine is the sixth most commonly used medication in the United States, making it broadly available.15-20% of admissions for acute poisoning may be caused by anticholinergic delirium.This is extremely common, with various intents (suicidal, recreational, or inadvertent).Atypical agents: olanzapine, quetiapine.Įpidemiology of anticholinergic intoxication.Typical agents: chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, loxapine, perphenazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine.Muscle relaxants: (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine).Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine).First-generation antihistamines (e.g., brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxepin, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, meclizine, triprolidine).Numerous plants (e.g., various nightshade species including Atropa belladonna, Jimson weed).Īgents with mixed effects, including anticholinergic activity.Anticholinergic eye drops may rarely cause systemic toxicity (e.g., atropine, cyclopentolate).Benztropine, trihexyphenidyl (used for Parkinson's disease).Scopolamine (used as an antiemetic or antisialagogue).Dicyclomine, hyoscyamine (used for irritable bowel syndrome).Darifenacin, fesoterodine, flavoxate, oxybutynin, solifenacin, tolterodine, trospium (used for bladder spasm).agents which function predominantly as anticholinergics Below are some of the most common and notable. There are hundreds of substances with anticholinergic activity. Management of combined anticholinergic & sodium channel blocker toxicity.
