title: Nerve agents: a review.
abstract: Nerve agents produce neuromuscular blockade and convulsions in exposed humans. Military personnel in areas of potential exposure take prophylactic pyridostigmine. They are instructed to self-administer atropine and pralidoxime at the first sign of nerve agent toxicity. The key to treatment of nerve agent poisoning is the administration of atropine in doses larger than is customary in most other disorders, repeated as often as needed. Mechanical ventilation may be required. Convulsions are treated with diazepam, but only after atropine has been administered.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Gunderson
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Sidell
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jabbari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D062025:Organophosphate Poisoning; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents