Mark I™ autoinjector

INGESTION Do not induce vomiting. First symptoms are likely to be gastrointestinal. Immediately administer an intramuscular injection of the MARK I kit autoinjectors. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. 

Autoinjectors (AtroPen , Mark I , Combopen MC ) are atropine or atropine and pralidoxime combinations available for human use. They are not used in veterinary medicine as they are not adjustable for different sized patients. Experimental vaccines against nerve agent VX, and monoclonal antibodies which protect against soman, sarin, and tabun toxicity have been produced and are being tested (Dunn and Sidell, 1989 Somani et al, 1992). 

These products are provided by Meridian Medical Technologies, which has partnered with the US Department of Defense to be the only FDA-approved supplier of nerve agent antidotes. The Mark I kit and the single autoinjector devices deliver 600 mg of 2-PAM Cl and 2 mg of atropine (AtroPen ) in seconds. This kit was developed originally... 

Three Mark I kits and CANA (10 mg diazepam autoinjector) and ventilation as appropriate... 

Fig. 5-5. The MARK I kit with its two autoinjectors the AtroPen (containing atropine), labeled 1, and the ComboPen (containing 2-pyridine aldoxime methyl chloride, 2-PAM Cl), labeled 2. (a) The two unused injectors in the safety clip, and the black carrier, (b) The used injectors and empty safety clip.

Medical response, treatment and prevention (prophylaxis) to nerve agent exposure are ever expanding fields of research [6,12,13]. Atropine, which rapidly reverses cholinergic over expression at synapse junctions, is the most commonly used anticholinergic. Mark I kits, which contain 2 mg atropine with an autoinjector for intramuscular use, are issued to US military personnel [2]. Recommended initial field doses for atropine are 2, 4 or 6 mg with re-treatment every 5-10 min depending on the symptoms. In addition, oximes reactivate cholinesterase enzymes, ensuring normal function. Mark I kits also include 600 mg autoinjectors of 2-pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM Cl) with initial field doses of 600, 1200 or... 

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