The American journal of the medical sciences
-
Diuretics are widely used and generally safe, but like any therapeutic agents, they may cause side effects. ⋯ Potential side effects of a diuretic can often be anticipated from its mode of action on the kidney. These complications may be mitigated with careful monitoring, dosage adjustment, and replacement of electrolyte losses. Other side effects are idiosyncratic and cannot be prevented.
-
Overdose with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may lead to serious complications. CCBs act by blocking calcium entry into the cell, thus lowering intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). [Ca2+]i during CCB overdose has not yet been reported. We measured [Ca2+]i in lymphocytes of a patient with acute verapamil overdose with a complex clinical picture. ⋯ Three months after the ingestion, [Ca2+]i was normal, with a normal response to PHA. Verapamil overdose may run a complex clinical course, but full recovery is to be hoped for with full supportive care. Cellular intoxication, as reflected by low lymphocytic [Ca2+]i, is prolonged and lags behind the clinical recovery by weeks.