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British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology logoLink to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
. 1979 Jan;7(1):111–116. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1979.tb00906.x

Treatment of severe 2,4-D and mecoprop intoxication with alkaline diuresis.

L F Prescott, J Park, I Darrien
PMCID: PMC1429610  PMID: 32900

Abstract

1 Self-poisoning with a selective weedkiller containing 2,4-D and mecoprop in a 39 year old man resulted in prolonged deep coma, pyrexia, hyperventilation, hypoxaemia, myotonia, skeletal muscle damage and electrocardiographic changes consistent with cardiomyopathy. 2 The admission plasma concentrations of 2,4-D and mecoprop were 400 and 751 microgram/ml respectively. The patient remained gravely ill with no signs of improvement for 2 days with supportive therapy and there was no fall in the 2,4-D level. 3 Alkaline diuresis greatly increased the renal clearance of 2,4-D, and there was a rapid fall in plasma concentration (T1/2 3.7 h) with corresponding clinical improvement. The effect on the elimination of mecoprop was similar, but less dramatic. 4 Forced alkaline diuresis may improve the otherwise very poor prognosis in severe intoxication with 2,4-D and related weedkillers.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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