Pharmacological Treatments of Paraquat Poisoning

Abstract

1 A large number of pharmacological techniques aimed at modifying paraquat toxicity have been investigated. There is no convincing controlled evidence that any are unequivocally useful. 2 Studies with an ascorbic acid and riboflavin combination appear effective in rats, and there is a suggestion that cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone may in some way alter paraquat toxicity in man and by pretreatment, but not concurrent treatment, also in the rat. 3 Further controlled studies are required of these treatments in patients who are potentially salvageable. There is a need for a rapid paraquat assay for clinical use in order that patients in this category can be identified quickly and included in appropriate controlled studies.