title: Intralipid therapy does not improve level of consciousness in overdoses with sedating drugs: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of intralipid emulsion therapy (ILE) in sedating drugs presenting to an urban emergency department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following the introduction of a clinical protocol for the use of ILE a retrospective chart review was undertaken, which describes the use of ILE in treating sedating drug overdose in a facility with a tertiary referral level clinical toxicology unit. Demographic data as well as details of drug ingested, physiological parameters and disposition were extracted from the medical record.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a 7 month period nine cases were treated with intralipid, of which two were male and the median age was 33 years (17-52 years). Endotracheal intubation was required in seven cases and of the other two, one required a nasopharyngeal airway for several hours while being observed in a critical care area. One patient was managed in the intensive care unit without intubation. The median duration of ventilation in the seven patients was 31 h (22-82 h), and median length of stay for all nine cases was 63 h (24-133 h).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study does not support any clinically significant effect of intralipid in sedating drug overdose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Public Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: Leonie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Calver
authors.forename: Geoffrey K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Isbister
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010743:Phospholipids; C545823:soybean oil, phospholipid emulsion; D013024:Soybean Oil
keywords: intravenous; lipid emulsion; poisoning