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Doxazosin in the Treatment of Scorpion Envenomation

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate effectiveness and applicability of Doxazosin in the treatment of scorpion stings in patients who had systemic symptoms.

Methods

The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed, and the following data were collected: age, sex, clinical symptoms (localized and systemic), vital signs, information on the date and place of the sting occurrence, the anatomical sting site, time between sting and arrival to the hospital, scorpion identification, severity of the symptoms and treatment.

Results

Of the victims, 48.5 % (n = 16) were males, and 51.5 % (n = 17) were females, with a mean age of 6.8 ± 4.2 y. The most common sting site was lower extremity 72.7 % (n = 24). Systemic toxicity (class II) was seen in 93.9 %, and two patients (6.1 %) manifested evidence of severe envenomation (class III). Both local and systemic effects were seen in the patients. Cold extremities persisted for 4.5 ± 1.5 h after administration of Doxazosin. Mean hospitalization time was 2.5 ± 1.5 d (range: 1.5 to 6 d). Thirty-two patients recovered without any sequel, whereas one patient died due to cardio-pulmonary insufficiency.

Conclusions

Doxazosin, especially if Prazosin is not available, can be recommended as an effective drug in the treatment of serious scorpion envenomations with significant sympathetic symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Adiyaman Medical Faculty to help us during this research.

Contributions

Capan Konca: Performer of the analysis, writing and preparation of the manuscript; Mehmet Tekin: Writing of the manuscript; Mehmet Turgut: Writing of the manuscript and will act as guarantor for this paper.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey

    Mehmet Tekin & Mehmet Turgut

  2. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey

    Capan Konca

  3. Manas evleri Uygur sitesi g blok no:8 Altınşehir, Adiyaman, Turkey

    Capan Konca

Authors
  1. Capan Konca
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  2. Mehmet Tekin
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  3. Mehmet Turgut
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Correspondence to Capan Konca.

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Konca, C., Tekin, M. & Turgut, M. Doxazosin in the Treatment of Scorpion Envenomation. Indian J Pediatr 82, 499–503 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1423-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1423-6

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