Reactions 399 - 2 May 1992

Theophylline overdose

First report of persistent vomiting treated withondansetron: case report

A 14-year-old boy presented with persistent vomiting,muscular twitching and abdominal pains and cramps 6 hoursafter ingesting theophylline 4.6g. Gastric lavage wasperformed but administration of activated charcoal wasunsuccessful because of the persistent vomiting; IVmetoclopramide failed to control vomiting. However,ondansetron 8mg infused over 15 min controlled vomitingimmediately and a further dose of activated charcoal withsorbitol was not regurgitated. Further doses of activatedcharcoal and sorbitol were given over the next 12 hours. Thepatient made an uncomplicated recovery and was dischargedafter 36 hours.

Comment: To the authors’ knowledge, the use ofondansetron in this setting has not been previously reported.Brown SGA, et al. Ondansetron in the treatment of theophylline overdose. MedicalJournal of Australia 156: 512, 6 Apr 1992 - Australia 800127482

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Reactions 2 May 1992 No. 3990114-9954/10/0399-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved