Avermectin intoxication with coma, myoclonus, and polyneuropathy

Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2009 Aug;47(7):686-8. doi: 10.1080/15563650903070901.

Abstract

Introduction: Avermectin has been used in the control of parasites and insects. Severe poisoning symptoms in humans include altered mental status, hypotension, and respiratory failure.

Case report: We describe a case of acute avermectin intoxication at a very high dose (414.2 mg/kg) who presented with coma, myoclonus, and polyneuropathy after oral ingestion.

Discussion: The symptoms are supposed to be associated directly with the avermectin poisoning and possibly with the toxicity of solvents or other additives.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with avermectin poisoning associated with myoclonus and polyneuropathy in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Coma / chemically induced*
  • Coma / physiopathology
  • Coma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Insecticides / poisoning*
  • Ivermectin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ivermectin / poisoning
  • Male
  • Myoclonus / chemically induced*
  • Myoclonus / physiopathology
  • Myoclonus / therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Poisoning / complications*
  • Poisoning / physiopathology
  • Poisoning / therapy
  • Polyneuropathies / chemically induced*
  • Polyneuropathies / physiopathology
  • Polyneuropathies / therapy
  • Suicide, Attempted

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Ivermectin
  • avermectin