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Chloroform toxicity
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Chloroform (Trichloromethane) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon
- Solvent used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries
Mechanism of Toxicity
- CNS depressant
- Hepatic and renal toxicity via free radical formation
- Arrhythmogenesis
- Carcinogenesis
Clinical Presentation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Coma
- Renal/Hepatic impairment
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
- Based on clinical presentation
- Specific levels rarely available
Treatment
- Decontamination
- Avoid sympathomimetics like epinephrine which may trigger arrhythmia
- N-acetylcysteine may minimize renal and hepatic toxicity
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- Olson, K. Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 1999.
