stramonium poisoning


stramonium poisoning

Poisoning caused by the dried leaves of Datura stramonium, a powerful anticholinergic agent (containing belladonna alkaloids) that produces atropine-like effects. Common signs and symptoms include delirium and hallucinations, tachycardia and hypertension, fever, pupillary dilation, and, sometimes, seizures, coma, cardiac rhythm disturbances, or death. See: atropine sulfate poisoning

Patient care

After the gastrointestinal tract is decontaminated with activated charcoal, stimulation of the intoxicated person should be minimized. Severely poisoned people (those with seizures, extremely high body temperatures, or cardiac dysrhythmias) may be treated with intravenous physostigmine, given slowly.

See also: poisoning