Lallement_2000_Ann.Pharm.Fr_58_18

Classical emergency treatment of organophosphate poisoning includes the combined administration of a cholinesterase reactivator (an oxime), a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist (atropine) and a benzodiazepine anticonvulsant (diazepam). In subjects taking pyridostigmine and trained to autoadminister at least one autoinjector at the first signs of poisoning, classical emergency treatment ensures survival but only an antiglutamatergic compound like gacyclidine appears to be able to ensure optimal management of nerve agent poisoning in terms of rapid normalization of EEG activity, clinical recovery and total neuroprotection. All of this reinforces the therapeutical value of gacyclidine, which is in the process of approval for human use in France for treatment of head injury, as a central nervous system protective agent for the treatment of OP poisoning.