Why the study?
Severe calcium channel blocker overdose is often fatal, and there is a lack of local literature in South Africa on its emergency management.
High-dose insulin euglycaemic therapy is highlighted as the mainstay of treatment for severe calcium channel blocker overdose in this narrative review.
SA clinicians must master CCB overdose management to reduce fatalities; leaves open need for local prospective data.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are commonly used in South Africa (SA) in the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease. Their ubiquitous availability makes them a common agent in drug overdose (OD), whether through accidental ingestion or deliberate self-harm. It is essential that medical practitioners know how to recognise and manage CCB OD, as severe CCB OD is often fatal. As there is a lack of local literature in SA, we highlight the general principles of management of CCB OD, as well as complications and problems that may be encountered during treatment. This narrative review is based on existing clinical guidelines, retrospective studies and systematic reviews on the emergency management of CCB OD. High-dose insulin euglycaemic therapy has become the mainstay of treatment in severe CCB OD. The rationale, the recommended protocol for its use and its adverse effects are described.
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Stephen et al. (2019) studied this question.
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