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14.7.6.2

Moderate Local Anaesthetic Toxicity

Malawi Standard Treatment Guidelines, 6th Edition, 2023. Chapter 14, Oral and Maxillofacial Conditions.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Stuttering speech, nystagmus, tremors, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness

Treatment

  • Place in supine position
  • Monitor vital signs
  • Administer oxygen
  • Observe for 1-hour 14.7.6. 3 SEVERE LOCAL ANAESTHETIC TOXICITY:

Signs and Symptoms

  • Seizure, cardiac dysrhythmia, or cardiac arrest

Non-pharmacological

  • Place in supine position
  • If seizures, protect from nearby objects,
  • Suction oral cavity if vomiting occurs
  • Transport to emergency care facility / intensive care unit
  • Notify EMS/ Summon for medical assistance
  • Monitor vital signs
  • If at any time the patient becomes unresponsive, no normal breathing, and no palpable pulse consider the diagnosis of cardiac arrest
  • Immediate CPR and defibrillation congruent with current recommendations

Pharmacological

  • Administer Oxygen 4 to 6 L/min by nasal cannula
  • Give Diazepam 5-10 mg IV slowly as stat dose

Check doses against the printed guideline and your clinical judgement before treating a patient. Spotted an error? Report it from the contact links below.

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