Metaraminol (Aramine®) in the management of a significant amlodipine overdose

• Published in: Human & experimental toxicology Vol. 24; no. 7; pp. 377 - 381
• Main Authors: Wood, D M, Wright, K D, Jones, A L, Dargan, P I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.07.2005; Arnold; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adrenergic alpha-Agonists - therapeutic use; Adult; Amlodipine - poisoning; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium Channel Blockers - poisoning; Drug intoxications. Doping; Drug Overdose - drug therapy; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Medical sciences; Metaraminol - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Suicide, Attempted; metaraminol; overdose; calcium channel blockers; aramine; amlodipine; Antianginal agent; Human; Agonist; Antihypotensive agent; Drug intoxication; Overdosing; Calcium antagonist; Metaraminol; Treatment; α-Adrenergic receptor; Amlodipine; Antihypertensive agent; Dihydropyridine derivatives; α-Adrenergic receptor agonist; Overdose; Antidote
• ISSN: 0960-3271; 1477-0903
• DOI: 10.1191/0960327105ht538oa

Objective: To report a patient with a significant amlodipine self-poisoning who failed to clinically respond to conventional treatment and was managed with metaraminol (Aramine®). Patient: A 43-year old male presenting after ingestion of 560 mg amlodipine, who failed to respond clinically to treatment with fluid resuscitation, calcium salts, glucagon and norepinephrine/epinephrine inotropic support. Main results: Following a loading bolus of 2 mg and intravenous infusion (83 mg/min) of metaraminol (Aramine®) there was improvement in his blood pressure, cardiac output and urine output. Conclusions: This is the first case report of the beneficial use of metaraminol (aramine) in the management of significant amlodipine poisoning unresponsive to conventional therapy.