11. ILLUSTRATIVE CASES
11.1 Case reports from literature
Ingestion of 2.2g (28mg/kg) in a 21 year old man
resulted in severe toxicity (Ginsberg et.al., 1970).
An 18 month old male infant ingested an unknown amount of
amphetamine, subsequently detected in the urine. He had a
history of restlessness and vomiting for 10 hours and was
admitted to hospital with mild fever (38°C), pulse rate of
140 per minute and respiratory rate of 34 per minute. He
looked acutely unwell, hyperactive and combative and had
normal pupils with a bi-lateral light reflex. Some irregular
flushing was found over the skin of the trunk. He was given
diazepam 10mg intravenously, 10% chloral hydrate 10ml
rectally and haloperidol 20mg intravenously. After a sleep of
20 hours normal activity resumed and the patient was
clinically well and discharged (Soong et.al., 1991).
A 20-month-old male infant was admitted to hospital with a
history of being too restless, hyperactive and agitated to be
manageable for several hours, and had not responded to 10mg
diazepam given intravenously in a local medical clinic. He
had dilated pupils, doll’s eyes and normal discs. Generalised
hypperreflexia and a mild clonus were noted, but no focal
neurological abnormalities could be found. His vital signs
were - blood pressure 130/90 mmHg, pulse rate 150/min,
respiratory rate 46/min and normal temperature. The clinical
status remained unchanged for a further 18 hours and the
patient then calmed down to sleep for 20 hours. Subsequently
the parents found amphetamine powder spread near the infant’s
bed (Soong, et.al., 1991).
12. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
12.1 Specific preventive measures
When prescribing amphetamines, due regard must be given
to its potential for misuse and addiction.
12.2 Other
No data available.
