title: Poisoning and overdose.
abstract: The differential diagnosis of all patients with altered mental status must include drug toxicity. In particular, intentional or unintentional overdosing and/or poisoning are common emergency department presenting complaints. A comprehensive approach to managing these patients must incorporate aggressive information gathering, a careful physical examination looking for toxic syndromes, and diagnostic testing. Proper decontamination is the key to effective management, as is the use of specific antidotes when indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jagoda
mesh_terms: D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes