Oral occupational parathion poisoning treated with 2-PAM iodide (2-pyridine aldoxime methiodide).

Abstract

OCCUPATIONAL poisonings in agricultural workers caused by organic phosphorus insecticides have become fairly common since the compounds were introduced. These compounds are potent cholinesterase inhibitors and produce symptoms that are due at least partly to this anticholinesterase action. Atropine has long been used in the treatment of intoxication from the organic phosphorus insecticides. It produces its action by pharmacologic blockade of the muscarinic effects of acetylcholine and as such is an incomplete antidote. With the demonstration that organic-phosphate-inhibited cholinesterase can be chemically reactivated by the use of certain hydroxamic acids or aldoxime-type compounds such reactivator therapy supplies a theoretically specific . . .