Clonidine Toxicity Medication

  • Author: David Riley, MD, MS, RDMS, RDCS; Chief Editor: Asim Tarabar, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 3, 2012
 

Medication Summary

In general, treat with supportive care. Administer activated charcoal to all patients at risk for aspiration after intubation. Temporary support for symptomatic cardiovascular effects of clonidine also may be necessary.

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Cardiovascular Agents

Class Summary

Used to elevate blood pressure and heart rate in patients who already have been adequately volume resuscitated and remain in shock.

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Dopamine (Intropin)

 

DOC in patients with clonidine toxicity who remain hypotensive after IVF. Stimulates adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors. Hemodynamic effect is dependent on dose. Lower doses predominantly stimulate dopaminergic receptors that, in turn, produce renal and mesenteric vasodilation. Higher doses produce cardiac stimulation and renal vasodilation.

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Atropine IV/IM (Atropair)

 

Vagolytic for patients with bradycardia (eg, SA or AV nodal block).

Doses < 0.5 mg can produce a paradoxical reaction.

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Antagonist

Class Summary

May improve level of consciousness.

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Naloxone (Narcan)

 

Absolute benefits are unproven and rates of success vary. Consider a drip if significant improvement results.

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GI Decontaminant

Class Summary

Empirically used to minimize systemic absorption of the toxin. Most effective if administered within 4 h of ingestion.

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Activated charcoal (Liqui-Char)

 

Emergency treatment in poisoning caused by drugs and chemicals. Network of pores present in activated charcoal adsorbs 100-1000 mg of drug per gram of charcoal. Does not dissolve in water.

For maximum effect, administer within 30 min of ingesting poison.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

David Riley, MD, MS, RDMS, RDCS  Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Director of Emergency Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Research, Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital

David Riley, MD, MS, RDMS, RDCS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society of Echocardiography, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Edward A Michelson, MD  Associate Professor, Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Health Systems of Cleveland

Edward A Michelson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, National Association of EMS Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD  Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart and St Joseph's Hospitals

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John G Benitez, MD, MPH  Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Medical Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Managing Director, Tennessee Poison Center

John G Benitez, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Medical Toxicology, American College of Preventive Medicine, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Asim Tarabar, MD  Assistant Professor, Director, Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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