Muscarine Mushroom Toxicity Medication
- Author: Peter A Chyka, PharmD, FAACT, DABAT; Chief Editor: Timothy E Corden, MD more...
Medication Summary
Most patients with poisoning due to mushrooms containing muscarine can be treated without medications. If patients exhibit excessive bronchial secretions or other symptoms of cholinergic excess (bradycardia) that are of significant concern, atropine may decrease these symptoms. If the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion oral administration of activated charcoal may be considered,[13] but adsorption to activated charcoal has not been demonstrated for these constituents.[14] No evidence suggests that routine administration of multiple doses of activated charcoal is useful. Ipecac syrup should generally be avoided because vomiting often occurs spontaneously and evidence for effectiveness is lacking.
Anticholinergic agents
Class Summary
Atropine is a competitive inhibitor of acetylcholine and muscarine in the autonomic nervous systems and relieves the muscarinic effects, especially bronchorrhea. Inhaled anticholinergic agents (eg, ipratropium) may also be considered.
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
Chemically related to atropine. Has antisecretory properties and, when applied locally, inhibits secretions from serous, and seromucous glands lining the nasal mucosa.
Atropine IV/IM
Acts at parasympathetic receptor sites to block the actions of acetylcholine and muscarine.
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