Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  • Register
  • Login

International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine

  • About
    • About the Journal
    • Focus and Scope
    • Editorial Team
    • Contact
  • Issues
    • Current
    • Archives
  • Indexing & Abstracting
  • Editorial Policies
    • Peer Review Process
    • Ethical Codes: Medical Research
    • Principles of Publishing Ethics
    • Conflicts of Interest
    • Publication Frequency
    • Open Access Policy
    • CrossMark Policy
    • Article Processing Charges
    • Privacy Statement
  • Announcements
  • Register
  • Login
Advanced Search
  1. Home
  2. Archives
  3. Vol. 5 No. 2(Spring) (2015): International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
  4. Case Report

ISSN: 2251-8762

International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
Vol. 5 No. 2(Spring) (2015)

Fatal Case of Diazepam and Paraquat Poisoning – A Case Report

  • S Peranantham
  • G Manigandan
  • V Tamilselvi
  • K Shanmugam

International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Vol. 5 No. 2(Spring) (2015), , Page 98-101
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v5i2(Spring).6300 Published 5 September 2014

  • View Article
  • Download
  • Cite
  • References
  • Statastics
  • Share

Abstract

Background: A very dangerous activity among youth and young adults is the indiscriminate mixing and sharing of prescription drugs, often in combination with alcohol or other drugs. The effects of these combinations of substances can be fatal.

Case Report: A 28 years old adult male with alleged history of diazepam and paraquat poisoning was admitted with complaints of chest discomfort, epigastric pain, vomiting and drowsiness. The patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and expired on the next day. To conclude, diazepam even though considered to be a safer drug, has risk of drug abuse and is fatal when taken in overdose along with other central nervous system depressants. Paraquat is a highly toxic compound widely used as herbicide and ingestion of the drug causes death due to respiratory failure. 

Conclusion: The present study emphasizes on the proper surveillance of diazepam intake in known psychiatric patients and strict rules must be enforced by the Government on marketing of herbicides and pesticides.

Keywords:
  • Diazepam
  • Paraquat
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
  • PDF

How to Cite

Peranantham, S., Manigandan, G., Tamilselvi, V., & Shanmugam, K. (2014). Fatal Case of Diazepam and Paraquat Poisoning – A Case Report. International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, 5(2(Spring), 98-101. https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v5i2(Spring).6300
  • ACM
  • ACS
  • APA
  • ABNT
  • Chicago
  • Harvard
  • IEEE
  • MLA
  • Turabian
  • Vancouver
  • Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
  • BibTeX

References

Benzodiazepine [Internet]. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2014 [cited 2014 Jul 3]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benzodiazepine&oldid=614790655.

Effects of long-term benzodiazepine use [Internet]. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2014 [cited 2014 Jul 3]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Effects_of_long-term_benzodiazepine_use&oldid=60848476.

President of the 66th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations [Internet]. [Cited 2014 Jul 3]. Available from: http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/Issues/drugs/drugs-crime.shtml

Sabzghabaee AM, Eizadi-Mood N, Montazeri K, Yaraghi A, Golabi M. Fatality in paraquat poisoning. Singapore Med J. 2010;51:496-500.

Oliveira RJD, Pinho PGD, Santos L, Teixeira H, Magalha T, Santos A, et al. Postmortem Analyses Unveil the Poor Efficacy of Decontamination, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunosuppressive Therapies in Paraquat Human Intoxications. PLOS one. 2009;4:7149.

Wilks MF, Fernando R, Ariyananda PL, Eddleston M, Berry DJ, Tomenson JA, et al. Improvement in Survival after Paraquat Ingestion Following Introduction of a New Formulation in Sri Lanka. PLOS Medicine. 2008;5:250-9.

Chapter 2: Suicides in India, http://ncrb.nic.in/CD-ADSI-2012/suicides-11.pdf.

Coutinho D, Vieira DN, Teixeira HM. Driving under the influence of benzodiazepines and antidepressants: prescription and abuse. Acta Med Port. 2011;24:431-8.

Kapczinski F, Amaral OB, Madruga M, Quevedo J, Busnello JV, de Lima MS. Use and misuse of benzodiazepines in Brazil: a review. Subst Use Misuse. 2001;36:1053-69.

Gibson CJ, Meyer RC, Hamm RJ. Traumatic brain injury and the effects of diazepam, diltiazem, and MK-801 on GABA-A receptor subunit expression in rat hippocampus. Journal of Biomedical Science. 2010;17:38.

Hudson M, Patel SB, Ewen SWB, Smith CC, Friend JAR. Paraquat induced pulmonary fibrosis in three survivors. 1991;46:201-4.

Puangkot S, Laohasiriwong W, Saengsuwan J, Chiawiriyabunya I. Benzodiazepines Misuse: The Study Community Level Thailand. Indian J Psychol Med. 2010;32:128–30.

  • Abstract Viewed: 699 times
  • PDF Downloaded: 2357 times

Download Statastics

  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • Telegram
Open Journal Systems
Information
  • For Readers
  • For Authors
  • For Librarians
Browse
  • Home
  • Archives
  • Submissions
  • About the Journal
  • Editorial Team
  • Contact

   International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine (IJMTFM)

                                                  Print ISSN: 2251-8762

                                                     Online ISSN: 2251-8770

The template of this website is designed by Sinaweb