Sedative/hypnotic toxicity

Types

Sedative/hypnotic toxicity

• Absinthe
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
  • Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
• Chloral hydrate
• Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
• Baclofen toxicity
• Opioids
  • Lomotil toxicity
  • Loperamide toxicity
• Toxic alcohols
  • Ethanol
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Methanol
• Xylazine toxicity

Differential Diagnosis

Toxidrome Chart

Finding	Cholinergic	Anticholinergic	Sympathomimetic	Sympatholytic^	Sedative/Hypnotic
Example	Organophosphates	TCAs	Cocaine	Clonidine	ETOH
Temp	Nl	Nl / ↑	Nl / ↑	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
RR	Variable	Nl / ↓	Variable	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
HR	Variable	↑	↑ (sig)	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
BP	↑	↑	↑	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓
LOC	Nl / Lethargic	Nl, agitated, psychotic, comatose	Nl, agitated, psychotic	Nl, Lethargic, or Comatose	Nl, Lethargic, or Comatose
Pupils	Variable	Mydriatic	Mydriatic	Nl / Miotic
Motor	Fasciculations, Flacid Paralysis	Nl	Nl / Agitated	Nl
Skin	Sweating (sig)	Hot, dry	Sweating	Dry
Lungs	Bronchospasm / rhinorrhea	Nl	Nl	Nl
Bowel Sounds	Hyperactive (SLUDGE)	↓ / Absent	Nl / ↓	Nl / ↓

^Consider Sympatholytic when looking at Sedative OD or someone who doesn't respond to Narcan

Withdrawal from substances have the opposite effect

See Also

• Toxicology (Main)