Treatment of organophosphate poisoning

[goal270]

In First Aid, under the heading of special antidotes, the antidote for anticholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphates is given as atropine >pralidoxime. Can anyone please explain why atropine is preferred over pralidoxime?

I thought since pralidoxime can treat central effects as well, it should be preferred?

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[PIDS]

In First Aid, under the heading of special antidotes, the antidote for anticholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphates is given as atropine >pralidoxime. Can anyone please explain why atropine is preferred over pralidoxime?

I thought since pralidoxime can treat central effects as well, it should be preferred?

Atropine is the preferred initial treatment whereas pralidoxime is the definite treatment. So if you are in the ER you first give atropine which will most likely be the case in the question stem.

 

[Rahas]

Main cause of death is respiratory failure (bronchospasm + increased respiratory secretions via M3) so you want to prevent that right away. Atropine is given as a single shot, pralidoxime as an infusion. Out of curiosity I just checked emedicine and the infusion is 20 minutes long, so obviously you want to give atropine right away while the infusion is being prepared and initiated.

 

[goal270]

Atropine is the preferred initial treatment whereas pralidoxime is the definite treatment. So if you are in the ER you first give atropine which will most likely be the case in the question stem.

Got it! Thank you

 

[goal270]

Main cause of death is respiratory failure (bronchospasm + increased respiratory secretions via M3) so you want to prevent that right away. Atropine is given as a single shot, pralidoxime as an infusion. Out of curiosity I just checked emedicine and the infusion is 20 minutes long, so obviously you want to give atropine right away while the infusion is being prepared and initiated.

very helpful. thank you so much