Injury secondary to antiretroviral agents: Retrospective analysis of a regional poison center database

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Matthew Wheatley, Emory University; Bijal Shah, Emory University; Brent Morgan, Emory University; Debra Houry, Emory University; Ziad Kazzi, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-07-01
• Publisher: UC Irvine Health School of Medicine.
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2011 the authors.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://escholarship.org/uc/item/1dk9r6h7
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
• ISSN: 1936-900X
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 293
• End Page: 295
• Keywords: Poison Centers; Antiretrovirals; unintentional poisoning; intentional poisoning
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Toxicology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Introduction: Poisoning is an increasingly important cause of injury in the United States. In 2009 poison centers received 2,479,355 exposure reports, underscoring the role of poison centers in intentional and unintentional injury prevention. Antiretroviral (ARV) agents are commonly prescribed drugs known to cause toxicity, yet the frequency of these incidents is unknown. The objectives of this study were to quantify the number of reported cases of toxicity secondary to ARV agents at a regional poison center, and to describe the circumstances and clinical manifestations of these poisonings. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of poison center records between December 1, 2001, and January 7, 2010. Results: One hundred sixty-two exposures to ARV agents were reported to the poison center, of which 30% were intentional and 70% were unintentional. Three patients developed major toxicity and no deaths occurred. The remaining patients developed moderate and minor effects as defined by poison center guidelines. Conclusion: ARV drug toxicity appears to be infrequently reported to the poison center. Fatal and major toxicities are uncommon, and intentional overdoses are associated with a more serious toxicity. Educational efforts should encourage clinicians to report toxicities related to the use of ARV agents to poison centers in order to better study this problem.