Severe Clonidine Overdose Requiring ICU: A Pediatric Emergency Department Case Report

Background: Clonidine is a recommended therapy for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children. As a result of this use in the pediatric population, there is widespread availability of clonidine, and unintentional overdoses occur. Major toxic effects of clonidine include respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, and death. Review of the literature finds that few massive ingestions progressed to respiratory depression and apnea, requiring intubation and ventilatory assistance. Naloxone has been used at high dose(0.8-2mg/kg) to reverse the clonidine toxic effects. Published studies provide no data on dosage response, toxicodynamic response in overdose, or …