Strychnine poisoning

Many birds such as sparrows, blackbirds, rice birds, grackles, and cowbirds can cause heavy loss of grain in rice fields. Because the use of poisoned baits in some countries is often restricted by law or popular opinion, the information presented does not constitute a recommendation on any specific chemical. The use of strychnine-poisoned rough rice (17, 18, 25) against blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, and English sparrows, wherever the use of poison is permitted, can be effective. Many other toxic chemicals will kill these birds however, domestic poultry and game bird species are relatively much less susceptible to strychnine than to other toxic materials. Therefore, we have in strychnine a fairly effective selectivity which other toxic materials do not offer. 

Kretzschmar R, Meyer HJ, Teschendorf HJ, Zollner B (1969). [Antagonistic action of natural 5,6-hydrogenated kava pyrones against strychnine poisoning and experimental local tetanus]. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. Dec. 182(2) 251-68. 

Strychnine poisoning occurs from accidental and intentional ingestion and from misuse as a therapeutic agent. Doses of 5-7 mg cause muscle tighmess, especially in the neck and jaws, and twitching of individual muscles, especially in the little fingers. ... 

Strychnine poisoning may also occur from dermal exposure. In one recent case report a women experienced marked pain in the lower limbs, dermal sensitivity, and stif iess in her jaw 24 hours after cleaning up a strychnine spill. Strychnine was confirmed in the plasma and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ... 

Injection - Heart failure secondary to chronic lung disease cardiac arrhythmias brain tumor acute alcoholism delirium tremens idiosyncrasy to the drug increased intracranial or CSF pressure head injuries acute bronchial asthma upper airway obstruction. Because of its stimulating effect on the spinal cord, morphine should not be used in convulsive states (eg, status epilepticus, tetanus, strychnine poisoning) concomitantly with MAOIs or in those who have received such agents within 14 days. 

Soluble tablets for injection - Convulsive states such as those occurring in status epilepticus, tetanus, and strychnine poisoning. 

Opium Diarrhea caused by poisoning until the toxic material is eliminated from the Gl tract use in children (opium tincture only) convulsive states such as those occurring in status epilepticus, tetanus, and strychnine poisoning (Paregor/c only). Oxycodone ... 

Strychnine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, mucous membranes, and parenteral sites of injection (Thienes and Haley, 1972) and also from the oral cavity (LaDu et al, 1971). A nonfatal case of strychnine poisoning through dermal exposure is also described (Greene and Meatherall, 2001). Strychnine is transported by plasma and... 

Strychnine competes with the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine producing an excitatory state characterized clinically by hyperreflexia, severe muscle spasms, and convulsions. However, the toxicokinetics after overdose have not been well described. In most severe cases of strychnine poisoning, the patient dies before reaching the hospital (Shadnia et al., 2004). 

Treatment of strychnine poisoning involves an oral administration of an activated charcoal which absorbs any unabsorbed poison within the digestive tract. Unabsorbed strychnine can be removed from the stomach by gastric lavage with tannic acid (strong tea) or potassium permanganate solutions to oxidize strychnine. Seizures are controlled by anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital or diazepam, along... 

Meier, J., Meunier-Durmort, C., Forest, C., Triller, A., Vannier, C. (2000). Formation of glycine receptor clusters and their accumulation at synapses. J. Cell. Sci. 113 2783-95. Migliaccio, E., Celentano, R., Viglietti, A., Viglietti, G. (1990). Strychnine poisoning. A clinical case. Minerva Anestesiol. 56 41-2. (In Italian)... 

Metabolic fate of strychnine in rats. Xenobiotica 19 171-8. Palatnick, W., Meatherall, R., Sitar, D., Tenenbein, M. (1997). Toxicokinetics of acute strychnine poisoning. J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. 35 617-20. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, inhalation, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Toxic effects resemble strychnine poisoning. Human systemic effects by inhalation somnolence, convulsions, and antipsychotic effects. Human central nervous system effects by inhalation. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of NOx. 

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