| Symptoms of acute intoxication are slurred speech, ataxic gait, and incoordination. Severe intoxication causes respiratory depression, loss of airway protective mechanism, coma and death. Acute sedative intoxication may mimic other metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia, DKA, stroke, electrolyte abnormalities and brain injury to name a few. These other disorders must be looked for and ruled out before a patient is deemed to be a pure sedative overdose. Treatment is largely supportive with airway and respiratory protection being paramount. Sedative intoxication can cause peripheral vasodilatation as well. Blood pressure and heart rate need to be closely monitored. | |
