-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
toxidrome
Steroidal alkaloid toxidrome
botanicals
definition
steroidal alkaloid toxidrome
the following toxicity information is largely derived from poisonings, overdoses and research on isolated constituents; used with appropriate clinical judgment and cautious prescribing, botanical medicines are safe and efficacious
plants included:
» Solanum spp.
treatment of overdose: Physostigmine 2 mg I.V., cold water hydrotherapy, cool drinks to reduce the dryness of the mouth, administration of ophthalmic solution containing 1% or less Pilocarpine (Ellis, p. 65)
steroidal alkaloid toxidrome resembles bacterial gastroenteritis: one to three hours following ingestion, an oropharyngeal "itch" occurs followed by gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and polyuria; the patient feels cold and clammy, developing a state of drowsiness, mental confusion, headaches, hyperthermia, and delirium, with mydriasis and fasciculations; opisthotonic and tonic-clonic convulsions can occur, with urinary and rectal incontinence in severe cases; also tachycardia, rapid and shallow respirations, decreased body temperature; acute cardiorespiratory depression can occur, followed by cyanosis and shock; large overdoses can cause paralysis (Cain, pp. 558; Duke, pp. 447-448; Fuller and McClintock, pp. 246-248; Levy and Primack, pp. 63-65)
footnotes
Cain, H.D. 1980. Flint's Emergency Treatment and Management, 6th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellis, M.D. 1975. Dangerous Plants, Snakes, Arthropods, And Marine Life. Hamilton, IL: Drug Intelligence Publications, Inc.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
Levy, C.K.; and Primack, R.B. 1984. A Field Guide to Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. The Stephen Green Press.