Treatment Of Organophosphorus Poisoning

Treatment Of Organophosphorus Poisoning

Question 1. Explain why atropine is the live­saving drug in patients with organophosphorus poisoning.
Answer:

Atropine is highly effective in countering the muscarinic symptoms produced by organophosphorus compounds.

At high doses, it antagonizes the central effects. So it acts as a life-saving drug in patients with organophosphorus poisoning.

Atropine reverses all muscarinic symptoms such as coma, bronchoconstriction, increase in secretions, diarrhea, etc.

Treatment of Organophosphorus Poisoning: Symptoms and Management

Question 2. Write On Drugs For Treatment Of Organophosphorus Poisoning.
Answer:

The following are the drugs for the treatment of organophosphorus poisoning:

• Atropine: Atropine is highly effective in countering the muscarinic symptoms produced by organophosphorus compounds. At high doses, it antagonizes the central effects.
  So it acts as a life-saving drug in patients with organophosphorus poisoning. Atropine reverses all muscarinic symptoms such as coma, bronchoconstriction, increase in secretions, diarrhea, etc.
  Atropine is given 2 mg IV repeatedly every 10 min till dryness of the mouth or other signs of atropinization appears. Continue treatment with maintenance doses may be required for 1-2 weeks.
• Pralidoxime: Since atropine is not effective for the reversal of neuromuscular paralysis, neuromuscular transmission is improved by giving cholinesterase reactivators such as pralidoxime. Organophosphorus compounds inactivate cholinesterases by phosphorylating
  ecstatic site of the enzyme.
  Oximes bind with high affinity to the anionic site, dephosphorylate the enzyme, and reactivate it.
  Early administration of oximes is necessary before the phosphorylated enzyme undergoes aging and becomes resistant to reactivation.
• Diazepam: Diazepam should be given to control convulsions.

Organophosphorus Poisoning: Immediate Treatment and Antidotes