Overview

In a cholinergic toxidrome, manage the patient’s airway urgently if their level of consciousness compromises the airway or breathing (see Support of airway and breathing in poisoning), with particular attention to increased pulmonary secretions.

Treatments for cholinergic toxidrome include:

• atropine—primarily as an antidote for muscarinic effects
• intravenous benzodiazepines to treat agitation (see Sedation for poisonings) and seizures (see Seizure control for poisonings)
• specific antidotes (where relevant for the toxin).

If the drug or toxin causing cholinergic toxidrome is known, see also the relevant monograph for management.