Clonidine Toxicity Workup

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

Laboratory Studies

Clonidine levels have not been shown to correlate with toxicity and should not be routinely drawn.

Measure electrolyte and glucose levels to screen for anion gap acidosis or hypoglycemia.

Serum toxicology screen may be useful if patient is not responding to standard measures, has significant symptoms and a co-ingestion is suspected, is comatose, or a specific drug level is desired. Acetaminophen levels should be obtained if overdose is suspected.

Test for pregnancy in women of childbearing age.

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Imaging Studies

Cranial CT scan (noncontrast): Obtain cranial CT scan if hemorrhagic bleeding, stroke, or head trauma is suspected.

Consider an emergent MRI if concern exists over a brainstem infarct or a change in management may result.

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Other Tests

Perform a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in addition to continuous cardiac monitoring.

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Procedures

Lumbar puncture may be indicated in patients with altered mental status and suspicion of CNS infection.

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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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