JIST

Abstract

Introduction: Poisoning is an important public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The number of poisoning cases increasing worldwide including India. Our study aimed in analyzing the type of pharmaceutical drug consumed as poison in a possibly within a short period of time.

Objectives: Validating the Indian Pharmacopeia and World Health Organization (WHO) standard methods of Analytical Toxicology.

Methodology: A Prospective, Analytical study was conducted on patients admitted to the Department of Emergency Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital and Research Centre (KIMSH & RC). The collected gastric lavage was filtered using filter paper and the clear solution was taken for analysis. The colorimetry tests were performed and compared with standards and the results were documented and reported to the Department of Emergency Medicine, KIMS Hospital and Research Centre.

Results: Tests for samples like paracetamol, thyroxin, glibenclamide, metformin, aceclofenac, vitamind3, ferrousgluconate, levocetirizine were carried out by using colorimetry method, the colour of the samples were compared with the colour of the standards. The methodology and comparison gave true positive result to confirm the unknown pharmaceutical drug present in gastric lavage. Conclusion: Our study used WHO standard methods of Analytical Toxicology and the Indian Pharmacopeia methods to identify the type of pharmaceutical drug consumed as poison. Colorimetry method plays a vital role in reporting the result in short time period by analyzing the type of pharmaceutical drug consumed as intentional poison, using gastric lavage and toxindromes so that the therapy can be started as soon as possible to reduce the percentage of mortality.