Absinthe toxicity

Background

• bitter, green liqueur derived form Wormwood tree extract
• active ingredient: thujone, which antagonizes GABA-A receptors (now thujone concentrations are thought to be too small to pose any danger to patient)
• illegal in most countries

Clinical Features

• confusion
• delirium
• euphoria
• auditory and visual hallucinations
• can cause generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Management

• Supportive

References

• Rosen's