RT Journal
A1 Salkind AR, Hewitt CC
T1 COma from long-term overingestion of isoniazid
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1997
FD November 24
VO 157
IS 21
SP 2518
OP 2520
DO 10.1001/archinte.1997.00440420156017
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1997.00440420156017
AB Overingestion of isoniazid can cause confusion, slurred speech, seizures, coma, and death. Most cases of a central nervous system toxic reaction due to isoniazid use result from sudden intentional or accidental overdose. We describe a patient taking 1200 mg of isoniazid daily for 6 weeks who presented to the hospital with confusion and lethargy that progressed to coma. Within 30 minutes of receiving 1 g of intravenous pyridoxine hydrochloride, the patient was fully alert and lucid. The diagnosis of a toxic reaction to isoniazid was delayed by the possibility of concurrent active neurosyphilis and the failure to initially consider isoniazid poisoning in a patient without a history of sudden isoniazid overdose.Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:2518-2520