You’re most likely to encounter one of these forms during a building fire. These forms can appear as solids, liquids, or gases. It’s exhaled in low amounts with every breath. Nitriles aren’t as toxic because they don’t easily release the carbon-nitrogen ion, which is what acts as a poison in the body.Ĭyanide is even a byproduct of metabolism in the human body. You can also find cyanide in certain nitrile compounds used in medications like citalopram (Celexa) and cimetidine (Tagamet). Cyanide can refer to any chemical that contains a carbon-nitrogen (CN) bond, and it can be found in some surprising places.įor example, it’s found in many safe-to-eat plant foods, including almonds, lima beans, soy, and spinach. With the number of ER physicians and hospitals completely unaware of cyanide toxicity or poisoning related to fire smoke, or even more dangerous, doctors with just a little bit of knowledge on the topic, we hope you will share these FAQs with your local emergency room physicians and/or medical directors.Cyanide is one of the most famous poisons - from spy novels to murder mysteries, it’s developed a reputation for causing an almost immediate death.īut in real life, cyanide is a little more complicated. Unfortunately the hospital did not stock another antidote, but the fire department had Hydroxocobalamin in stock and immediately transported it to the ER. Fortunately, the EMS Chief knew enough to inform the doctor that it could be harmful. When the EMS Chief suggested to the ER physician the firefighter may have been exposed to cyanide in the smoke, the doctor unknowingly prescribed the CAK. In one particular instance, a firefighter was transported to the ER for smoke inhalation. Although the drugs contained within the antidote are not new, (Sodium Thiosulfate and Sodium Nitrite), there is concern that the new topic of cyanide poisoning related to fire smoke, will or could most certainly confuse first responders or physicians attempting to decide which antidote to purchase or administer.įor years many hospitals have stocked the CAK (Cyanide Antidote Kit) for cyanide poisoning for industrial exposures, suicide attempts, etc. Hope Pharmaceuticals launched a Web site promoting a “new” cyanide poisoning antidote.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |