Stupefying with datura (poisoning): A case report and review of literature
1 Base Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India.
2 Consultant Biochemistry, India.
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2024, 18(03), 171–173.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2024.18.3.0343
Publication history:
Received on 26 April 2024; revised on 07 June 2024; accepted on 10 June 2024
Abstract:
A young boy who was poisoned with Datura (Jimson weed / Datura stramonium) with an intent to stupefy him before robbery. He presented with an anticholinergic toxidrome. At presentation he had visual hallucinations, was disoriented, had incomprehensible and nonsensical speech along with dilated pupils. He also developed urinary retention and aggressive behavior. Datura is commonly found in India and is a potentially fatal poison causing anticholinergic toxidrome. Treatment is primarily supportive and gastrointestinal decontamination. It should be suspected in patients presenting with an unexplained peripheral or central anticholinergic syndrome particularly in younger age, partygoers and travelers. It is important to recognize this weed, as it has a potential for misuse and can cause severe life threating poisoning requiring inpatient management at a hospital.
Keywords:
Datura; Anticholinergic toxidrome; stupefy; Solanaceae family
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