Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 20
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Calmatives/Sedatives
• Suspect whenever clinical picture presents with predominant
CNS depression
– All produce dose dependent sedation
• Major complication: RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION
– Respiratory depressant effects vary
• Specific Toxic Syndrome: CNS depression, pinpoint pupils,
and respiratory depression = Opioid
Module Two - The Clinical Neurotoxicology of Chemical Terrorism
20
The sedative toxidrome is characterized by dose-dependent sedation with relatively
preserved respiratory effort. However, most central nervous system depressants are
associated with some degree of respiratory depression at higher doses. Some, like the
opioids, are associated with profound respiratory depression. This explains the high
fatality rate in the Moscow theater.
Respiratory depression, or a decrease number of breaths per minute, is the most serious
problem associated with exposure to calmative or sedative agents. At high enough
doses, this can result in a respiratory arrest and death.
Opioids commonly cause respiratory depression. Toxicity from opioids also includes
central nervous system depression and pinpoint pupils (also known as miosis).
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