Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Apr 2008
[Inquiries to the Norwegian Poisons Information Centre on acute exposures to chemicals and chemical products].
The Poisons Information Centre receives many inquiries about acute exposures to chemical products. Our aim was to characterise the frequency and severity of such exposures and to raise awareness of chemicals that rarely cause poisoning, but may lead to serious systemic toxicity even in small amounts. ⋯ Exposure to chemicals or chemical products is frequent, but rarely leads to severe poisonings. Data from inquiries to the Poisons Information Centre are representative of the chemical exposure conditions. It is important to have detailed product information readily available to assure correct treatment after exposure incidents.
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Several countries use drugs containing cannabinoids for symptom management in patients that need palliative treatment. ⋯ Many questions about clinical efficacy and side effects have still not been answered for cannabinoid-containing drugs and there is not sufficient evidence available from relevant randomised controlled trials to base a decision on whether or not to permit such drugs in palliative care in Norway. It is however likely that drugs containing cannabinoids can help to control certain symptoms in some patients.
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Blood components are a limited and expensive resource, and transfusions may cause serious side effects. Drug treatment is an option to reduce the need for transfusions related to surgery. ⋯ Desmopressin does not reduce the need for transfusions after surgery in patients with normal preoperative hemostasis. Treatment with recombinant factor VIIa may be considered in patients with massive hemorrhage caused by blunt trauma, post-partum hemorrhage, cardiac surgery, and in uncontrolled bleeding in surgery in general.