Toxicology Notes
Toxicology Notes
Toxicology Notes
- branch of pharmacology that deals with the study of poison, the mechanism of toxicity, and
treatment
- Gk. “toxicon” (arrow poison), “logia” (to speak of)
Risk Assessment – estimate of potential effects to human health and environmental significance of
various types of exposure
1. Effects
a. Local effect – same route of administration and site of action (e.g. phenol, caustics,
corrosives causing skin burn)
b. Remote effect – different route of administration and site of action (e.g. Paraquat ingestion
→ Pulmonary Edema)
c. Systemic effect – widespread derangement (e.g. metabolic acidosis)
A. Poison Related
1. Concentration
o ↑concentration, ↑poison effects
2. Solubility
o ↑lipid solubility, ↑absorption, ↑poison effects
o ↑water solubility, ↑excretion – decontamination
3. Route of administration
a. Oral – most important route
b. Dermal – ↑lipid solubility, better dermal absorption
c. Inhalational – substances <0.5 microns (µm) are absorbed through the lungs
d. Intravenous (IV) – provides the fastest clinical route
e. Intramuscular (IM) – variable absorption
f. Rectal – variable absorption
[Insert Rectal vein image]
o G6PD Deficiency
▪ HMP shunt
• NADPH
• Ribose-5-Phosphate
▪ May cause hemolytic anemia
▪ Resistant to malaria
[Insert mechanism]
o Timing
▪ Conception to implantation (0-3 weeks AOG)
• Spontaneous abortion
▪ 3-8 weeks AOG (Embryogenesis)
• Teratogenic effects
• E.g.
o Thalidomide – phocomelia / Amelia
o Warfarin – hypoplastic nose
o Tetracycline – tooth discoloration
o Lithium – Ebstein Anomaly (cardiac)
o ACE Inhibitor – renal dysgenesis
o Diethylstilbestrol – clear cell carcinoma of vagina / cervix
o Methimazole – aplasia cutis
o Carbamazepine, Valproic acid – neural tube defect (spina bifida)
o Phenytoin – Fetal hydantoin syndrome (midline structure)
o Alcohol – Fetal alcohol syndrome
▪ Facial anomalies
▪ Growth retardation
▪ Neurodevelopmental delay
▪ >8 weeks AOG – minor abnormalities
o Signs of exposure
1. Acute: <24 hours (large amount of poison in short amount of time)
2. Subacute: >24 hours but <1 month
3. Subchronic: >1 month but <3 months
4. Chronic: >3 months