Session 1:An Overview of Common Issues in Toxicology: Prescriptions, OTC and Illicit Drugs

Date: 9/29/2010 Check-In and Breakfast:
 7:00 am -8:00 am
Educational Session: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lisa Booze, Pharm D, CSPI Clinical Coordinator and a Certified Specialist in Poison Information at the Maryland Poison Center, a division of the University Of Maryland School Of Pharmacy.
Lisa Booze, Pharm D, CSPI Clinical Coordinator and a Certified Specialist in Poison Information at the Maryland Poison Center, a division of the University Of Maryland School Of Pharmacy.

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

Psychotherapeutic drug overdoses:

  • List the classes of psychotherapeutic drugs commonly involved in overdoses.
  • Describe the signs and symptoms associated with overdoses of psychotherapeutic drugs.
  • Discuss the treatments and pharmacological interventions in the management of psychotherapeutic drug overdoses.

New and Emerging Drugs of Abuse:

  • Recognize why trends in the abuse of drugs change over time.
  • Describe new and emerging drugs of abuse, including illicit designer drugs, plants, herbals, and prescription and OTC drugs.
  • Describe how some older drugs are being abused differently.
  • Discuss the effects and toxicities of these emerging drugs of abuse.

Misuse and Abuse of Prescription and OTC Drugs:

  • List reasons why OTC and prescription drugs are abused or misused.
  • Explain the clinical effects that are likely to occur following unintentional overdoses of common over the counter and prescription drugs such as acetaminophen, opioids, stimulants and dextromethorphan.
  • Describe the treatment of unintentional overdoses of acetaminophen, opioids, stimulants and dextromethorphan.
  • Discuss what pharmacists can do to help prevent unintentional overdoses of prescription and OTC drugs.

Cardiac Drug Overdoses:

  • List the cardiac drugs that produce severe toxicity in acute and/or chronic overdoses.
  • Describe the signs and symptoms associated with an overdose of a calcium channel blocker, beta blocker, digoxin, clonidine and nitroprusside.
  • Identify the antidotes used in the treatment of calcium channel blocker, beta blocker, digoxin, clonidine and nitroprusside overdoses.
  • Discuss the various treatments and pharmacological interventions in the management of cardiac drug overdoses.

Acetaminophen Toxicity:

  • Describe why acute and chronic acetaminophen overdoses occur.
  • Discuss the clinical presentation of an acetaminophen overdose.
  • Identify the indications, route and dosages for the use of acetylcysteine in treating acetaminophen overdoses.