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Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB), is the leading cause of cardiovascular drug-related overdose deaths in the USA. In contrast, angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) cause minimal toxicity in overdose. ACEIs/ARBs are often combined with dihydropyridines in hypertension treatment. Co-ingested ARBs/ACEIs may significantly contribute to the toxicity of dihydropyridine, but this has not been investigated.To investigate the clinical outcomes from dihydropyridine overdoses with ARBs/ACEIs versus dihydropyridine overdoses alone.This was a retrospective study of patients reported to the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSW PIC) and 3 toxicology units (Jan 2016 to Jun 2019) in Australia. Patients14 years who took an overdose of dihydropyridines (amlodipine, felodipine, lercanidipine, nifedipine) were included. Concurrent overdoses with non-dihydropyridine CCBs, alpha-blockers and beta-blockers were excluded. Patient demographics, drugs exposure details, serial vital signs, treatments and outcome were collected.There were 100 patients. 68 took mixed overdoses of dihydropyridines with ARBs/ACEIs and 32 took single overdoses of dihydropyridines without ARBs/ACEIs. The mixed group had lower median nadir mean arterial pressures (62 vs 75 mmHg,Combined overdoses of dihydropyridines with ARBs/ACEIs caused more significant hypotension and required more haemodynamic support than overdoses of dihydropyridines alone.

Purpose The aim of this study is to describe the technique of subpalpebral antibiotic lavage (SAL), which is a highly therapeutic, efficient, and cost-effective method for managing severe bacterial keratitis. Methods This case report describes a 26-year-old woman with severe bacterial keratitis in the right eye due to contact lens overwear, with progressive corneal thinning, a hypopyon, impending perforation, and marked visual loss to perception of light despite treatment with intensive topical antibiotics. This was managed with SAL that involves the insertion of a cannula transcutaneously into the upper conjunctival fornix to provide continuous antibiotic irrigation of the ocular surface. Results By 11 weeks after presentation, the cornea and anterior chamber appeared clinically quiescent, and visual acuity improved to 20/40 corrected in the right eye. Conclusions Bacterial keratitis is a potentially blinding condition for which contact lens wear is an important risk factor. Most cases are successfully managed with topical medications; however, in cases of treatment failure, a second-line approach such as SAL can be sight-saving. SAL uses readily available equipment for the delivery of high concentrations of antibiotics to the ocular surface, thus increasing therapeutic efficacy and reducing nursing staff workload. Despite its advantages, the literature reveals apparent underutilization of this technique.