Near Fatal Poisoning Due to Accidental Ingestion of an Overdose of Dextro Propoxyphene Hydrochloride by a Two-Year-Old Child

Antagonism of Dextro-Propoxyphene Poisoning in Albino Mice with Nalorphine HCL, Levallorphan Tartrate, and Methylene Blue

“…Since that time, a number of additional episodes have appeared in the literature (7)(8)(9). Even with quantities many times greater than the therapeutic dose, relatively rapid recoveries were made if gastric lavage and symptomatic therapy were instituted before the onset of coma or convulsions.…”

“…Convulsions were controllable by the intravenous injection of pentobarbital (8), deep intramuscular injection of paraldehyde, or inhalation of halothane (10) ; however, extreme caution is necessary to avoid the enhancement of depression. Respiration was maintained by tracheotomy and artificial respiration, and the administration of caffeine and sodium benzoate has been reported to be of some value (7). Nalorphine HC1 and levallorphan tartrate have been used in several cases, although their clinical value in this situation is still doubtful (8).…”

“…Clinically, d-propoxyphene was shown to produce effective analgesia similar to that of codeine when administered orally as the hydrochloride salt alone or in combination with acetophenetidin, acetylsalicylic acid, and caffeine In March 1960, the National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers reported a total of 12 cases of accidental ingestion and acute overdosage of d-propoxyphene (6). Since that time, a number of additional episodes have appeared in the literature (7)(8)(9). Even with quantities many times greater than the therapeutic dose, relatively rapid recoveries were made if gastric lavage and symptomatic therapy were instituted before the onset of coma or convulsions.…”