Strychnine

This heterocyclic ergot-type alkaloid is used as a rodenticide. Deliberate self-poisoning by ingestion leads to the onset of generalised skeletal muscle spasm within 30 minutes. Death from respiratory failure may follow promptly. Paralysis, intubation and ventilation are life saving if instituted before hypoxic neurological injury and multiple organ failure occurs.

References

• Edmunds M, Sheehan TM, Van’t Hoff W. Strychnine poisoning: clinical and toxicological observations on a non-fatal case. Journal of Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology 1986; 24:245-255.
• Makarovsky, Markel G, Hoffman A et al.  Strychnine- a killer from the past.  Israeli Medical Association Journal 2008; 10(2):142-145.
• Palatnick W, Meatherall R, Sitar D et al. Toxicokinetics of acute strychnine poisoning. Journal of Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology 1997; 35:617-620.