EFFECT OF ATROPINE AND GLYCOPYRROLATE IN PATIENTS WITH ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING

Objective: To determine the drug therapy effects of atropine alone and the combined therapy of atropine and glycopyrrolate in patients with organophosphate poisoning. Patients and methods: Total one hundred patients with history of organophosphorus poisoning were included in the study. These patients were divided in to two groups with 50 patients each. One group was treated with atropine alone while the other group was treated with atropine in combination with glycopyrrolate. The results of treatment of both groups were compared after 48 hours of the treatment and data was analyzed on SPSS version 18.0 and statically evaluated by using paired student T-test. Results: During one year study period total one hundred patients with OP poisoning were evaluate as far as management is concerned. The mean ± for age (years) for overall population was 23.74±4.72. The group-A consisted of 50 patients out of which 28 were males and 22 were females. All belonged to the mean age of 22.82 ± 1.166% mostly from rural areas (62%). The group–B also consisted of 50 patients with 29 males and 21 females having mean age of 22.88 ± 1.1. Majority of patients in this group i-e 88% belonged to rural areas with 56% of them were from low economic status. The mortality rate among patients treated with atropine alone was 20% (10 patients), whereas the mortality rate recorded with a combined therapy of on atropine and glycopyrrolate therapy was only 8% (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Since, glycopyrrolate doesn't cross the blood brain barrier thus; it has no effects on Central Nervous System. Therefore, the combined therapy of atropine with glycopyrrolate showed more positive results as compared to therapy with atropine alone, in the management of mild to moderate cases of organophosphate poisoning. Key words: Organophosphorus poisoning, atropine, glycopyrrolate, blood brain barrier.