Rise of Pregabalin Poisoning and Abuse Cases in Serbia: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze data on gabapentinoid-related attendances to the National Poison Control Center of Serbia (NPCC), particularly abuse cases; to estimate its changes and to compare it with trends in national consumption rates of these drugs. We also aimed to analyze the main characteristics of the study population and to investigate the major clinical effects in poisoned patients.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients admitted to the NPCC for acute poisoning involving gabapentinoids from 1 May 2012 to 1 October 2022.

Acute organophosphate and carbamate pesticide poisonings - a five-year survey from the National Poison Control Center Of Serbia.

Pesticide poisonings, intentional as well as accidental, are common, especially in undeveloped and developing countries. The goal of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation of patients hospitalized due to acute organophosphate (OPP) or carbamate pesticide (CP) poisoning as well as to analyze the factors that potentially influenced the severity and outcome of the poisonings. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed.

Determination of flumazenil in serum by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: Application to kinetics study in acute diazepam overdose.

Backgound/aim: Flumazenil is benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. It has been studied for a various indications, including reversal of sedation after surgery or diagnostic procedures, awakening of comatose patients in benzodiazepine overdose, or for symptomatic treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Some drugs, like theophylline, may prolong its elimination half-life.

Intravenous lipid emulsion in treatment of cardiocirculatory disturbances caused by glyphosate-surfactant herbicide poisoning.

Introduction: Glyphosate is the first widely used herbicide against weed in genetically modified crops. Though glyphosate itself has a low toxicity, commercial products are more dangerous because of increased toxicity due to surfactants addition. There is no specific antidote for the poisoning with glyphosate-surfactant (Gly-SH).

Failure of intravenous lipid emulsion in treatment of cardiotoxicity caused by mixed overdose including dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.

Introduction: Calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are among the most frequently ingested cardiovascular drugs in self-poisoning causing significant mortality. Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) is reported as a potentially novel antidote for treatment of acute poisoning caused by some of these drugs.

Case Report: We presented two cases of poisoning with these drugs.

Bilateral hippocampal infarction and amnesia: A case report.

Introduction: The hippocampus along with other structures of the medial temporal lobe plays an important role in the process of learning and memory consolidation. Bilateral hippocampal lesions lead to persistent anterograde amnesia while unilateral damage results in milder, content-specific forms of amnesia. Hippocampus may be affected by an acute or chronic pathologic process from a wide spectrum of neurological disorders.

Severe propranolol and ethanol overdose with wide complex tachycardia treated with intravenous lipid emulsion: a case report.

Background: Propranolol is a highly lipid-soluble beta-blocker. We describe a case of severe propranolol overdose, with atypical dysrhythmia--wide complex tachycardia--which was successfully treated with lipid emulsion.

Case Report: A 31-year-old woman ingested approximately 3.

[Simultaneous determination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in the human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS)].

Background/aim: Quantitative analysis of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in biological matrices requires sensitive and specific methods which allow determination of therapeutic concentration in 1 g/mL range. Analytical methods for determination of their concentrations in body fluids described in literature include high performance liquid chromatography coupled to UV detector (HPLC-UV) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The aim of this study was to develop sensitive and specific ultra performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) method which could be used for the spectral identification and quantification of the low concentrations of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in the human plasma.

[Acute glyphosate-surfactant poisoning with neurological sequels and fatal outcome].

Introduction: Clinical picture of severe glyphosate-surfactant poisoning is manifested by gastroenteritis, respiratory disturbances, altered mental status, hypotension refractory to the treatment, renal failure, shock. Single case report indicated possible neurotoxic sequels of glyphosate-surfactant exposure with white matter lesions and development of Parkinsonism. We described a patient with massive white matter damage which led to vigil coma and lethal outcome.

Fatal diquat intoxication.

Background: Since the introduction of diquat in agriculture practice in 1960's, about 40 cases of poisoning have been described in detail in medical literature.

Case Report: We presented two cases. A case one, a 35-year-old, previously healthy, woman ingested 14% diquat solution.

[Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects of flumazenil and theophylline application in rats acutely intoxicated by diazepam].

Background/aim: The majority of symptoms and signs of acute diazepam poisoning are the consequence of its sedative effect on the CNS affecting selectively poli-synaptic routes by stimulating inhibitory action of GABA. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of combined application of theophylline and flumazenil on sedation and impaired motor function activity in acute diazepam poisoning in rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided in four main groups and treated as follows: group I--with increasing doses of diazepam in order to produce the highest level of sedation and motor activity impairment; group II--diazepam + different doses of flumazenil; group III--diazepam + different doses of theophylline; group IV--diazepam + combined application of theophylline and flumazenil.

Bioequivalence assessment of the two brands of glimepiride tablets.

Background/aim: Glimepiride, as an antidiabetic from the group of sulfonylurea, is administered perorally in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to compare pharmacokinetic profiles and relative bioavailabilities of the two oral formulations of glimepiride, generic and innovator tablets, after a single dose of the active drug.

Methods: An oral dose of 6 mg glimepiride was given under fasting conditions to 24 healthy volunteers.

Bioequivalence testing of a new tablet formulation of generic fluoxetine.

The pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of fluoxetine capsules (reference) and tablets (test) were compared in 24 healthy subjects of both sexes after a single 20 mg oral dose of fluoxetine (as a hydrochloride salt). A randomized, crossover design with a 2-week wash-out period between each dose was applied. Serum samples, obtained before dosing and at various appropriate time points up to 192 hours, were analyzed for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine content by a simple, accurate and precise HPLC method.

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome with rhabdomyolysis and muscle rupture].

We report a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) development after the ingestion of 960 mg of haloperidol in 18-year old male on the previous long-term neuroleptic treatment. Beside the severe rigidity and laboratory signs of rhabdomyolysis, firm swelling of gluteal and femoral areas, accompanied by pain and difficulty in the extension of the right leg, was noticed. The ultrasonography of the affected limb revealed partial rupture of quadriceps muscle.

[Toxic effects of anesthetics: rhabdomyolysis with acute renal insufficiency].

Rhabdomyolysis is rare but serious complication of general anesthesia. The authors report a case of anesthesia-induced severe rhabdomyoloysis in previously healthy male. First symptoms and signs occurred after the surgery was finished, and consisted of muscular pain and cardiac arrhythmia.

[Carbamazepine cardiotoxicity in acute poisoning].

Manifestations of cardiotoxicity in 9 patients with acute carabamazepine poisoning treated at the Clinic of Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of the M.M.A.