Clinical guidelines for acute poisonings in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Acute poisonings are a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, and require prompt, structured management. We present an updated standard operating protocol to support rapid clinical-decision-making in emergency settings. The protocol emphasises five core principles of toxicology: stabilisation, identification, decontamination, elimination, and antidote use. It covers common pesticide poisonings, including organophosphate and aluminium phosphide, corrosive ingestions, and emerging threats such as paraquat, opioids, and sedative-hypnotics.