In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig deep into one of EMS鈥檚 most overlooked (and often forgotten) topics 鈥� toxidromes. You might remember the word from paramedic class, but today鈥檚 street calls demand more than a vague memory. With patients taking everything from grandma鈥檚 Ativan to street-made speed, understanding toxidromes is crucial for making quick, accurate clinical calls.
The crew breaks down the five major toxidromes every medic should know: anticholinergic, cholinergic, opioid, sympathomimetic and sedative-hypnotic. From classic mnemonics like 鈥渕ad as a hatter鈥� to real-life stories of fire ant poisonings, this episode serves up practical knowledge with EMS-grade humor.
Chris and Kelly cover telltale signs (sweaty vs. dry skin, pinpoint vs. dilated pupils), treatment pearls of wisdom (easy on that naloxone, folks), and the real-world complications of polypharmacy. Plus, they touch on lesser-known players like serotonin syndrome and hallucinogens.
This one鈥檚 a refresher you didn鈥檛 know you needed 鈥� but you鈥檒l be grateful when you respond to your next overdose call.
Memorable quotes
- 鈥淎ntidotes are overrated. Supportive care will take care of most of the toxidromes out there.鈥� 鈥� Kelly Grayson
- 鈥淚f they鈥檙e pleasantly stuporous but breathing effectively, it鈥檚 not an overdose. It鈥檚 just a dose.鈥� 鈥� Kelly Grayson
- 鈥淣arcan is not a punishment, it鈥檚 a treatment. You don鈥檛 slam it, you bump it just a little bit, just enough to get them breathing again.鈥� 鈥� Kelly Grayson
RATE & REVIEW
Catch a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast every Friday on鈥�,鈥�, 鈥�,鈥�,鈥�, and鈥�. Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to鈥�. Contact the Inside EMS team at鈥�theshow@ems1.com鈥痶o share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you鈥檇 like to join us as a guest.
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