Optimising the dose of clonidine to achieve sedation in intensive care unit patients with population pharmacokinetics.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of clonidine in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in order to develop a dosing regimen for sedation.

Methods: We included 24 adult mechanically ventilated, sedated patients from a mixed medical and surgical ICU. Intravenous clonidine was added to standard sedation in doses of 600, 1200 or 1800 μg/d.

[Strychnine poisoning: uncommon, but does still happen].

Background: Acute strychnine poisoning is an uncommon form of intoxication, characterized by severe tonic clonic seizures and tetanus-like contractions while the patient is fully conscious. It can result in respiratory failure, leading to death.

Case Description: A 47-year-old man was admitted to the casualty department 2 hours after self-poisoning with strychnine.