Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content + Download Section PDF Listen ++ For further information, see CMDT Part 38-49: Paraquat Poisoning + Key Features Download Section PDF Listen +++ ++ Used as an herbicide; sale is controlled + Clinical Findings Download Section PDF Listen +++ ++ Concentrated solutions are highly corrosive to oropharynx, esophagus, and stomach After absorption, fatal dose may be as small as 4 mg/kg If ingestion of paraquat is not rapidly fatal because of its corrosive effects, the herbicide may cause progressive pulmonary fibrosis, with death ensuing after 2–3 weeks + Diagnosis Download Section PDF Listen +++ ++ Clinical Patients with plasma paraquat levels above 2 mg/L at 6 hours or 0.2 mg/L at 24 hours are likely to die + Treatment Download Section PDF Listen +++ ++ Administer 60 g of activated charcoal by gastric tube every 2 hours for at least three or four doses Anecdotal reports of benefit with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone Supplemental oxygen should be withheld unless the PO2 is < 70 mm Hg because oxygen may contribute to the pulmonary damage