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Anticholinergic Herbal Poisoning: A Case Report

Davor Podbevšek

Abstract

Poisoning of two young people caused by the intake of tea prepared from the plant Datura stramonium L. (jimson weed) of the genus Datura is described. The toxic alkaloids of jimson weed, atropine and scopolamine, cause a series of characteristic classic symptoms of anticholinergic poisoning. Dysrhythmias, seizures, hyperpyrexia, coma, and respiratory arrest are less common but also highly life-threatening manifestations of this poisoning that are generally treated with physostigmine. Children are mostly exposed to the poisoning by the plant species from the genus Datura, however, the poisoning most frequently occurs due to plant abuse by adolescent addicts. Treatment options for acute intoxication at a detached island health institution are presented along with difficulties encountered thereby.

Keywords

Plant poisoning - diagnosis; Plant poisoning - therapy; Plants - medicinal; Plants - toxic; Case report

Hrčak ID:

14528

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/14528

Publication date:

1.9.2004.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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