1MBBS, Christian Medical College, Vellore
2MD, General Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore
*Corresponding Author: Dr. K.P.P. Abhilash, Department of Medicine Unit 4, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India E mail: kppabhilash@gmail.com
Online published on 13 February, 2014.
Cartap hydrochloride is a commonly used pesticide in India and frequently used for deliberate self-harm.Toxic effects of suicidal ingestion of this compound have not been frequently reported in India. Cartap is an analogue of nereistoxin, a neurotoxic substance isolated from a marine annelid Lumbriconereisheteropoda. Cartap poisoning is known to cause significant neuromuscular impairment resulting in respiratory failure and death. We report a case of deliberate self-harm with ingestion of Cartap. The patient was administered N Acetyl cysteine as an antidote and he showed significant recovery within 24 hours.
Cartap Hydrochloride, Nereistoxin, N Acetyl Cysteine, Respiratory failure
