Journal of the Indian Society of Toxicology
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue: 2

Strychnine poisoning - case series of survivors

  • Author:
  • venkatesh Satri1, Prashant Jedge2, Shivakumar S. Iyer3, Dharanindra Moturu1, Jignesh N. Shah4,*
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 43 to 46

1Senior resident, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DTU) Medical College, Dhankawadi, Pune, Maharashtra.

2Assistant Professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DTU) Medical College, Dhankawadi, Pune, Maharashtra.

3Professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DTU) Medical College, Dhankawadi, Pune, Maharashtra.

4Associate professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DTU) Medical College, Dhankawadi, Pune, Maharashtra.

*Corresponding Author: Associate professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (DTU) Medica College, Dhankawadi, Pune, Maharashtra-411043. Email id: drshahjignesh78@gmail.com Mobile: 9028246946.

Online published on 26 August, 2021.

Abstract

Strychnine is one of the oldest compound which has been used as medicine in age olden days. Later the toxic nature of the compound has been revealed and if untreated can lead to death within minutes to hours depending on the amount of consumption. Literature about the strychnine toxicity is sparsely published.

A case series of four members of family with strychnine poisoning who got recovered with appropriate Critical care management is described in this article.

All cases in our case series survived by early and timely interventions and avoidance of Complications. All essental details from this cases were collected. Study of this literature showed the use of drugs varying from benzodiazepines to other sedatves and paralytics essentially to control seizures and likely Complications being observed with Strychnine. Outcome has improved when compared to olden days which can be atributed to evolution of acute care medical facilites.

Though there is no antidote, adequate supportve care along with avoiding Complications can show good prognosis as in our case series. Death occurs mainly by respiratory failure which should be taken care by early ntubaton and mechanical ventilation.

Keywords

Strychnine, Awake seizures, Toxicity, Poisonings, Drug toxicity