Toxicology of Carbon Monoxide, Organophosphates, and Psychotropes

Poisoning by Carbon Monoxide (CO), Organophosphates, and Psychotropes — Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• CO poisoning results from inhalation of incomplete combustion gases, hypoxia via hemoglobin binding.
• Carboxyhem (HbCO) levels >15% indicate intoxication; >50% often fatal.
• Organophosphates irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to cholinergic crisis.
• Cholinesterase activity (pseudo and true) helps confirm organophosphate poisoning.
• Psychotropic overdose affects CNS, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems; antidotes include flumazenil and naloxone.
• Treatment for CO: high-flow oxygen and hyperbaric oxygen; for organophosphates: atropine + pralidoxime.
• CO affinity for hemoglobin is 200-250x that of O2; half-life reduces from 320 min in air to 23 min with hyperbaric oxygen.
• Organophosphates cause muscarinic, nicotinic, and central symptoms.
• Psychotropes include sedatives, stimulants, neuroleptics, antidepressants, lithium.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for prognosis.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components