Clinical Toxicology: Poisoning And Antidotes

Poisons are substances administered either by mouth, injection, inhalation, or through the skin/mucous membranes. They produce harmful, dangerous, or fatal symptoms in animals and human beings.

Poisoning could be accidental, occupational, suicidal, or criminal. Generally, self-medication is an important cause of drug poisoning and is particularly seen with OTC drugs or insecticides and hence emergency treatment of acute poisoning is symptomatic.

Classification of Poisons

Poisons are classified into 3 main categories they are: 

1. Corrosives:

Strong acids -  H₂SO₄, HNO₃, HCL

Strong alkalies - caustic soda, caustic potash

2. Irritants:

A. Inorganic: 
Non-metallic (P, Cl, Br, I)
Metallic: heavy metals, (As, Ab, Pb, etc.)

B. Organic: 
Herbals - castor seeds, croton oil etc.
Animal: 🐍 snake venoms, cantharides.

C. Mechanical: Diamond dust, glass powder.

3. Neurotics: 

A. Cerebral: 
 i. Sleep causing (narcotics) -  opium and it's derivatives.
 ii. Intoxicants - alcohol.
 iii. Anesthetics - ether, CHCl₃
 iv. Deliriant - Datura, belladonna.

B. Acting on the spinal cord - Nux vomica

C. Acting on Cardiac system - Digitalis, aconite, tobacco

D. Poisons acting peripherally - CO₂, CO, coal gas.