How to Treat Atropine Poisoning
Atropine is an alkaloid extracted from deadly nightshade, jimson weed and other members of the Solanaceae family. It is a long-lasting drug frequently administered to fix and dilate the pupils. It also may be used to increase the heart rate by temporarily paralyzing the vagus nerve. The following steps will help you identify and treat a case of atropine poisoning.
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Instructions
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Know the symptoms of atropine poisoning. Small doses can cause dryness of mouth and pupil dilation. Larger amounts produce symptoms of blurred vision, dizziness, nausea and rapid heart rate. Large amounts can cause hallucinations because of atropine's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
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Get a medical diagnosis. Atropine poisoning is usually evaluated clinically first because it is commonly ingested intentionally for recreational purposes, although it might be eaten through misidentification.
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Confirm the presence of atropine in the urine. If samples of the suspect plant are available, they should be subjected to chromatography to detect atropine.
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Resuscitate the patient if needed and administer dextrose, thiamine or naloxone. Initial treatment should be conservative and consist of support and observation. Monitor the vital signs and keep the patient cool if needed.
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Wait up to 2 days before considering decontamination of the stomach. Atropine can slow down digestion and may eventually be broken down and passed naturally. If needed, decontamination can be accomplished by gastric lavage or a single dose of activated charcoal. Multiple doses of charcoal, forced diuresis and hemodialysis are not considered effective in eliminating atropine from the body.
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