Seizures caused by ingestion of Atropa belladonna in a homeopathic medicine in a previously well infant: case report and review of the literature.

Atropa belladonna is a poisonous plant that can cause anticholinergic effects when ingested. Roots, leaves, and fruits of the plant contain the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, which can lead to an anticholinergic toxidrome; however, not all characteristics of the toxidrome are necessarily present in each case of poisoning. We present an infant who suffered serious seizures after ingestion of a homeopathic agent containing A. belladonna. The 20-day-old infant arrived at the emergency department with fever and generalized seizures for 30 minutes, 2 hours after ingesting the correct dose of a homeopathic medication agent used for infantile colic. The patient was treated with intravenous benzodiazepines and antibiotics after a full sepsis work up; all the laboratory results were normal and the fever resolved after several hours. The infant recovered fully with normal neurological function and a normal electroencephalogram. This infant probably manifested what is known as the central anticholinergic syndrome. We discuss his presentation and review of the literature on this topic.

Adverse effects of homeopathy: a systematic review of published case reports and case series.

AIM: The aim of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the evidence regarding the adverse effects (AEs) of homeopathy. METHOD: Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant case reports and case series. RESULTS: In total, 38 primary reports met our inclusion criteria. Of those, 30 pertained to direct AEs of homeopathic remedies; and eight were related to AEs caused by the substitution of conventional medicine with homeopathy. The total number of patients who experienced AEs of homeopathy amounted to 1159. Overall, AEs ranged from mild-to-severe and included four fatalities. The most common AEs were allergic reactions and intoxications. Rhus toxidendron was the most frequently implicated homeopathic remedy. CONCLUSION: Homeopathy has the potential to harm patients and consumers in both direct and indirect ways. Clinicians should be aware of its risks and advise their patients accordingly.

Accidental intakes of remedies from complementary and alternative medicine in children--analysis of data from the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Switzerland is rather high, and therefore, the occurrence of accidental intakes of CAM remedies by children and associated intoxications is to be expected. In the present study, the inquiries to the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre that took place from 1998 until 2007 and concerned accidental, unintended intakes of CAM remedies by children were analysed. Inquiries for information were performed by concerned care-givers, physicians, pharmacists and others in case of acute accidental intake of CAM remedies. Feedbacks from physicians about paediatric patients with acute intoxication possibly associated with the accidental ingestion of CAM remedies were as well considered. During the study period, 3,158 accidental intakes of CAM remedies (1,015 of herbal and 2,143 of homeopathic remedies) were reported, corresponding to 8.6% of all reported accidental intakes of pharmaceutical products by children. No significant increase of the yearly number of accidental intakes of CAM remedies was detected during the study period. There was no accidental intake of CAM remedies leading to severe signs or symptoms. Concerning the herbal remedies, three intoxications of moderate and 28 of minor severity were reported. Nine children with intoxication from homeopathic remedies were reported, with minor symptoms only. All other accidental intakes of CAM remedies did not lead to intoxications and evolved without manifestations. The data show that accidental, unintended intake of CAM remedies happened in children, but developed mostly harmlessly. Comparing herbal with homeopathic remedies, accidental intakes with homeopathic remedies were more common, but intoxications associated with manifestations were observed more frequently with herbal remedies.

Treatment of toad venom poisoning with digoxin-specific Fab fragments.

Toxicity from toad venom poisoning is similar to digoxin toxicity and carries a high mortality rate. We report on six previously healthy men who developed vomiting and bradycardia after ingesting a purported topical aphrodisiac. Each patient had positive apparent digoxin levels and the first four patients died of cardiac dysrhythmias. The last two patients recovered following treatment with digoxin Fab fragments. We analyzed samples of the purported aphrodisiac and found that it was identical to Chan Su, a Chinese medication made from toad venom. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of digoxin Fab fragments to treat toad venom poisoning.

[An autopsy analysis on 14 cases of poisoning death caused by illegal quackery].

In this paper, 14 cases on poisoning death caused by illegal quackery were analyzed. The results indicated that the causes and routes of poisoning were various, and that there were three kinds of poisoning types in illegal quackery. Main points of forensic identification were pointed out. In addition, some medical and administrative measures and possible measures were also investigated. The authors suggest that measures as above are of great importance for preventing similar poisoning and improving forensic identification.

Arsenic toxicity from homeopathic treatment.

UNLABELLED: Homeopathic medicine is commonly believed to be relatively harmless. However, treatment with improperly used homeopathic preparations may be dangerous. CASE REPORTS: Case 1 presented with melanosis and keratosis following short-term use of Arsenic Bromide 1-X followed by long-term use of other arsenic-containing homeopathic preparations. Case 2 developed melanotic arsenical skin lesions after taking Arsenicum Sulfuratum Flavum-1-X (Arsenic S.F. 1-X) in an effort to treat his white skin patches. Case 3 consumed Arsenic Bromide 1-X for 6 days in an effort to treat his diabetes and developed an acute gastrointestinal illness followed by leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and diffuse dermal melanosis with patchy desquamation. Within approximately 2 weeks, he developed a toxic polyneuropathy resulting in quadriparesis. Arsenic concentrations in all three patients were significantly elevated in integument tissue samples. In all three cases, arsenic concentrations in drinking water were normal but arsenic concentrations in samples of the homeopathic medications were elevated. CONCLUSION: Arsenic used therapeutically in homeopathic medicines can cause clinical toxicity if the medications are improperly used.