title: [Herbal medicines and severe adverse effects: uvular angioedema caused by Echballium elaterium].
abstract: Herbal medicine is a growing alternative for established medicine. Many plants and herbs are currently in use for a myriad of diseases and symptoms. However, there are many reports in the literature of life-threatening adverse effects of these drugs. We report a 39 years old male, that consulted for pain in the nostrils and severe nasal obstruction, that appeared two hours after instilling Ecballium elaterirum in the nostrils. On physical examination, uvular edema was observed. The patient was successfully managed with intravenous betametasone and chlorphenamine.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina y Servicio de Urgencia, Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Gianella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caiozzi
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mardónez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saldías
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012651:Self Medication; D014609:Uvula
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000982:Antipruritics; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D001623:Betamethasone