Carboprost Exposure in a Newborn with Recovery

• Published in: Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 865 - 867
• Main Authors: Mrvos, Rita, Kerr, Fergus J., Krenzelok, Edward P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Monticello, NY Informa UK Ltd 1999; Taylor & Francis; Dekker
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; carboprost; Carboprost - administration & dosage; Carboprost - poisoning; Drug intoxications. Doping; Fever - chemically induced; Heart Rate - drug effects; Humans; Hypertension - chemically induced; Infant, Newborn; Injections, Intramuscular; Male; Medical sciences; Medication Errors; Oxytocics - administration & dosage; Oxytocics - poisoning; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Human; Case study; Newborn; Accident; Carboprost; Toxicity; Drug intoxication; Intramuscular administration; Prostaglandin derivatives
• ISSN: 0731-3810; 1097-9875
• DOI: 10.1081/CLT-100102467

Background: This case describes a newborn who was accidentally given carboprost (Hemabate®) 250 μg intramuscularly, the largest amount ever reported in a normal newborn. Case Report: A full-term newborn was inadvertently given carboprost rather than his prescribed hepatitis vaccine. Within 15 minutes, he was tachypneic and hypertensive followed by bronchospasms and dystonic movements and or seizure activity of his upper extremities. He also was hyperthermic and had diarrhea stools. He recovered within 18 hours and was discharged. Conclusion: The manufacturer reports 2 infants who received lesser amounts and remained asymptomatic. This child exhibited symptoms associated with an overdose of a prostaglandin F2a, although complete recovery occurred within 18 hours.