Veterinary Neuropharmacology

TREATMENT OF OPC POISONING

• Prevent further absorption .
• Maintain blood pressure and airway.
• Control convulsions.
• Administer atropine – Atropine will block the muscarinic symptoms. In high doses, it can control central effects. But it does not reverse peripheral muscular paralysis, which is mediated by nicotinic actions. Atropine must be given immediately by slow intravenous injection. Administration of atropine must be continued till pupils dilate.
• Administer cholinesterase reactivators – After atropinisation, oximes should be administered as early as possible before aging occurs.. Oximes are not effective in carbamate poisoning as the anionic site is not free for the oximes to be attached to, in the case of carbamate poisoning. Oximes themselves have weak anticholinesterase activity and hence, they are contraindicated in carbamate poisoning. Administering oximes in carbamate poisoning will aggravate the condition. Obidoxime is a more potent oxime. Di-acetyl-monoxime (DAM) is lipophilic and can reactivate the cholinesterase in the brain also. Pralidoxime (2PAM) is commonly used as an antidote.