Poisoning Caused by the Combined Ingestion of Nifedipine and Metoprolol

Abstract

Poisonings due to ingestion of a calcium channel or beta-adrenergic blocker have been the subject of several previous reports, but reports of poisoning due to combined ingestion of these drugs are infrequent. This is a report of suicidal ingestion of nifedipine 600 mg, metoprolol 200 mg, and etizolam 20 mg. Intravenous dopamine, norepinephrine, and calcium chloride had little effect but the administration of methylprednisolone and glucagon were associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure above 100 mm Hg.

KEY WORDS:

• poisoning
• nifedipine
• metoprolol
• beta-blocker
• calcium channel blocker