Pyridoxine therapy in a patient with severe hydrazine sulfate toxicity.
OBJECTIVE
To report hydrazine sulfate as a cause of severe encephalopathy and to report its response to high-dose pyridoxine therapy.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
An adult six-bed medical/surgical intensive care unit of a general hospital.


METHODS
One patient who developed severe encephalopathy after hydrazine sulfate.


METHODS
5 g i.v. pyridoxine.


RESULTS
After 180 mg/day for 2 wks followed by 360 mg/day of hydrazine sulfate ingestion, our patient suffered severe encephalopathy. He received mechanical ventilation with attendant supportive measures and high-dose pyridoxine. The patient's encephalopathy resolved 24 hrs after receiving pyridoxine.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe encephalopathy could result from hydrazine sulfate toxicity. High-dose pyridoxine is an effective treatment to reverse this encephalopathy.
Nagappan
R
R
Intensive Care Unit, Whangarei Hospital, New Zealand.
Riddell
T
T
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006834:Hydrazines; C029424:hydrazine; D011736:Pyridoxine