Benzodiazepines overdose
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Reactions 400 - 9 May 1992 S Benzodiazepines overdose Adverse effects in children: incidence study Benzodiazepine overdose in children is a common form of poisoning but generally tends to be mild. This was the conclusion of a French retrospective study which gathered information on the clinical toxicity of 4 of the newer group of benzodiazepines: ethyl loflazepate, flunitrazepam, prazepam and triazolam. The clinical features of 482 children who had taken 1 of these drugs in overdose between 1977 and 1989, were compared with those of adults. There were 2 distinct subpopulations: those 24-36 months old with accidental poisoning, and those approximately 15 years old with intentional self-poisoning. 75% of the children presented with sleepiness, and 2.7-5.4%, depending on the drug involved, were unconscious but responded to pain. Only 4 children were more deeply comatosed, and none had neurovegetative signs. The severity of coma and neurological symptoms was dose-dependent. Hypotension was the most frequent non-neurological adverse effect, followed by tachycardia, dyspnoea and bradycardia Ataxia, agitation and hypotonia were all significantly more common in children compared with adults. All children made a satisfactory recovery. The dangerous doses in children were calculated to be: ethyl loflazepate 0.78-0.9 mg/kg; flunitrazepam 0.26-0.29 mg/kg; prazepam 7.80-9.00 mg/kg; and triazolam 0.06-0.07 mg/kg. Comment:In the authors’ experience, children under 5 years of age comprised about 25% of total cases of drug poisoning. The proposed dangerous dose levels should be of help to staff working in poisons units Pulce C, et al. Acute poisonings with ethyle loflazepate, flunitrazepam, prazepam and triazolam in children. Veterinary and Human Toxicology 34: 141-143, Apr 1992 - France 800129171 1 Reactions 9 May 1992 No. 400 0114-9954/10/0400-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
Transcript of Benzodiazepines overdose
Reactions 400 - 9 May 1992
SBenzodiazepines overdose
Adverse effects in children: incidence studyBenzodiazepine overdose in children is a common form of
poisoning but generally tends to be mild. This was theconclusion of a French retrospective study which gatheredinformation on the clinical toxicity of 4 of the newer group ofbenzodiazepines: ethyl loflazepate, flunitrazepam, prazepamand triazolam.
The clinical features of 482 children who had taken 1 ofthese drugs in overdose between 1977 and 1989, werecompared with those of adults. There were 2 distinctsubpopulations: those 24-36 months old with accidentalpoisoning, and those approximately 15 years old withintentional self-poisoning.
75% of the children presented with sleepiness, and2.7-5.4%, depending on the drug involved, were unconsciousbut responded to pain. Only 4 children were more deeplycomatosed, and none had neurovegetative signs. The severityof coma and neurological symptoms was dose-dependent.
Hypotension was the most frequent non-neurologicaladverse effect, followed by tachycardia, dyspnoea andbradycardia Ataxia, agitation and hypotonia were allsignificantly more common in children compared with adults.All children made a satisfactory recovery.
The dangerous doses in children were calculated to be: ethylloflazepate 0.78-0.9 mg/kg; flunitrazepam 0.26-0.29 mg/kg;prazepam 7.80-9.00 mg/kg; and triazolam 0.06-0.07 mg/kg.
Comment:In the authors’ experience, children under 5 yearsof age comprised about 25% of total cases of drug poisoning.The proposed dangerous dose levels should be of help to staffworking in poisons unitsPulce C, et al. Acute poisonings with ethyle loflazepate, flunitrazepam, prazepamand triazolam in children. Veterinary and Human Toxicology 34: 141-143, Apr1992 - France 800129171
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Reactions 9 May 1992 No. 4000114-9954/10/0400-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
