RT Book, Section
A1 Williams, Saralyn R.
A1 Thurman, R. Jason
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181057151
T1 Plants with Belladonna Alkaloids
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181057151
RD 2024/04/24
AB There  are  several  species  of  plants  that  contain  tropane  alkaloids  consisting  of  atropine,  scopolamine,  and  hyoscyamine  compounds.  Given  the  effect  on  the  pupils  with  mydriasis,  these  are  known  as  the  belladonna  (beautiful  woman)  alkaloids.  Jimson  weed  species  (Datura  spp.)  are  the  most  well-known  plants  that  contain  these  alkaloids.  Ingestion  may  occur  through  the  drinking  of  tea  made  from  the  leaves  or  flowers  of  the  plant  or  from  eating  the  plant’s  seeds  or  leaves.  Poisoned  victims  demonstrate  an  anticholinergic  toxidrome  resulting  from  the  antimuscarinic  receptor  antagonistic  effects  of  atropine  and  scopolamine.  Patients  may  exhibit  altered  mental  status,  xerostomia,  xeroderma,  xerophthalmia,  blurred  vision,  mydriasis,  tachycardia,  decreased  bowel  and  bladder  motility,  and  hyperthermia.  Occasional  presentations  of  unilateral  mydriasis  occur  from  topical  exposure  of  the  alkaloids  (usually  by  touching  the  plant  and  then  the  eye).