Toxin Group | Possible Symptoms | Minimum Potential Treatment |
Group 1 | Abdominal pains, diarrhea, vomiting, thirst, anuria, hepatic & renal failure, encephalopathy | Vomiting, lavage or catharsis, administration of penicillin, milk thistle, Legalon |
Group 1-A | Nausea, vomiting, lethargy, polyuria, headache, thirst, shivering, kidney failure | Emesis, lavage, catharsis |
Group 2 | Apparent intoxication, nausea, vomiting | Treatment generally unnecessary |
Group 3 | Headache, abdominal distress, diarrhea, vomiting, hepatic necrosis, convulsions, hemolysis, renal failure | Benzodiazepines or pyridoxine, for severe toxicity: folic acid, monitored for the destruction of skeletal muscle, methemoglobinemia, and hemolysis |
Group 4 | Sweating, excessive salivation, bronchorrhea, shortness of breath, tears, blurred vision, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, polyurea | Most patients can be treated without medication, recovery usually within 6-24 hours |
Group 5 | After alcohol use: vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness, apprehension, confusion, tachycardia, dyspnea | Emesis, lavage, activated charcoal, beta-blocker may be useful in tachycardia |
Group 6 | Euphoria, hallucinations | Removal of toxin not necessary, therapy directed to reassurance, if hyperthermia present cooling blankets or sponge bath, NEVER salicylates |