title: Pediatric poisoning from over-the-counter imidazoline-containing products.
abstract: We present two instructive cases of imidazoline poisoning in young children. Imidazoline decongestants, readily available in numerous non-prescription preparations, can rapidly produce toxicity from oral ingestion and topical application. Signs and symptoms depend on whether peripheral or central alpha 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation predominates. Timely diagnosis depends on a high index of suspicion and careful questioning about the availability of these over-the-counter products. Standard toxicologic management will prevent significant morbidity. No specific antidote exists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland 04102.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talbot
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000506:poisoning*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs