News (2019)

See how the Maryland Poison Center is making headlines across the state of Maryland and beyond in 2019.

Please visit the news archive to explore stories that highlight previous accomplishments at the Maryland Poison Center.

Recent News:

Female child sitting on floor surrounded by open bottles and packets of medication. Pediatric Vilazodone Ingestions Highlighted in December Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: December 18, 2019
A 3-year-old female patient presents to the hospital after ingestion of an unknown quantity of her mother’s vilazodone. Mom reports this occurred about an hour ago and the patient has vomited twice while in the emergency department. Read more...
Hand holding a cannabis plant. What You Should Know About Marijuana (Cannabis) Spotlighted in Nov./Dec. Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: November 12, 2019
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a drug that has been around for centuries. Both the plant and how it is used continues to change with time. The quality and concentration are higher now than they were in the past. Here, we dive deeper into what you need to know about cannabis. Read more...
Welder in the process of welding metal, with sparks emanating from tools. Metal Fume Fever Highlighted in November Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: November 12, 2019
Metal fume fever is a clinical syndrome caused by inhalation of metal-containing fumes generated by welding, galvanizing or smelting. It is an occupational disease with 1,500 to 2,500 cases reported annually in the U.S. Read more...
Vaping device and two vials of vaping substance displayed on table. Vaping-Associated Lung Injury Highlighted in October Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: October 14, 2019
The CDC, the FDA, state and local health departments, poison centers and others are investigating a multistate outbreak of lung injury  associated with use of e-cigarette or vaping products. As of October 8, 2019, there have been 1,299 cases in the U.S. (29 in Maryland) with 26 deaths reported from 21 states. Read more...
Doctor and patient seated at table in front of a laptop, with stethoscope and clipboard placed off to the side. Take Charge of Your Health with Tips in the Sept./Oct. Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: October 11, 2019
About 60% of the cases managed by the Maryland Poison Center (MPC) in 2018 involved one or more medicines. Here, we discuss how you can be an active participant in your health care, as well as how caregivers can play an important role in medicine safety. Read more...
Open medication bottle with white capsules spilling out of the opening. Carbapenems for Valproic Acid Toxicity Highlighted in September Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: September 10, 2019
Valproic acid (VPA) is an interesting toxin. It’s a carboxylic acid (-oic) that is used for seizures, bipolar disorder, and migraine prophylaxis. The most common find-ing in overdose is coma. Metabolic complications including hyperammonemia, hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, and metabolic acidosis can occur. Read more...
Young boy looks into open medicine cabinet with a wide array of medicines and medical supplies available out in the open. Understanding Safe Storage Highlighted in July/August Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: August 15, 2019
Safe storage is one of the best ways to help prevent poisonings and overdoses. Read on to help ensure your home is poison safe for your family, visitors, and pets. Read more...
Aluminum packet of dinitrophenol opened to reveal solid yellow substance inside. Dinitrophenol Spotlighted in August Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: August 9, 2019
The Maryland Poison Center was contacted regarding an adult male who ingested dinitrophenol powder as a weight loss supplement once daily for an unspecified length of time. On that day he increased his dose, and 4 hours later was in the emergency department complaining of palpitations and nausea. Read more...
Package of Metformin tablets, with individual tablets scattered in front of package. Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis Highlighted in July Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: July 17, 2019
Metformin is a critical medication for treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. However, the fatality rate of single-substance metformin exposures reported to poison centers is 0.5%, which is double the rate of death due to acetaminophen taken alone. The question is why. Read more...
Black and brown patterned rattlesnake curled up against white background. Anavip® for Timber Rattlesnake Envenomation Spotlighted in June Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: June 11, 2019
Timber rattlesnake envenomations are rare In Maryland, but when they do occur, along with tremendous local swelling and pain, there can be prolonged thrombocytopenia. Read more...
Diverse group of adults and older adults walking hand-in-hand through an open field. May/June Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press Highlights Top 3 Poisons for Adults in 2018
Date Published: May 22, 2019
In 2018, we handled about 39,000 cases. Roughly 31,000 of those cases were exposures in humans; the rest were about animals or general calls for information. We are going to look at the most common substances mentioned in the calls we receive about adults and older adults. Read more...
Image that displays the wording: 2018 MPC Cases Highlighted in May Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: May 21, 2019
In 2018, experts at the Maryland Poison Center managed more than 39,000 cases: 30,709 human poisonings, 1,143 animal poisonings, and 7,463 poison or drug information calls. Read more...
Four children of different ethnicities pose for photo laying on the grass facing the camera. Top Poisons Among Children in 2018 Highlighted in March/April Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: April 19, 2019
In 2018, we handled about 39,000 cases. Roughly 31,000 of those cases were exposures in humans; the rest were about animals or general calls for information. We are going to look at the most common substances mentioned in the calls we receive about children, broken down by age group. Read more...
Blue bottle of antifreeze being poured out, with green liquid coming from the spout. April Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits Spotlights Ethylene Glycol and the Lactate Gap
Date Published: April 18, 2019
Diagnosis of toxic alcohol ingestion and toxicity is fairly cut and dry, if you work at one of the few hospitals in the U.S. that can measure serum concentrations. For the rest of us, history, clinical gestalt, and several surrogate markers of toxin concentration are what we rely upon. Read more...
Living room engulfed in flames. Enclosed Space Fires and Cyanide Poisoning Highlighted in March Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: March 29, 2019
Cyanide is a potent toxin that can cause rapid clinical deterioration and death if not recognized quickly. The most common etiology of cyanide exposure in the U.S. is through hydrogen cyanide (HCN) formation in enclosed space fires. Read more...
Collage of poison hazards commonly found in the home. Maryland Poison Center Celebrates National Poison Prevention Week
Date Published: March 4, 2019
Observed March 17-23, National Poison Prevention Week helps raise awareness about the dangers of poisonings and promotes steps that families can take to prevent them. Read more...
Woman sleeps in a hospital bed. February Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits Answers "How Long Do I Need to Watch this Patient?"
Date Published: February 12, 2019
Emergency departments are busy environments and adequate patient flow is crucial to keep them operating efficiently. Although poison centers are often asked, “How long do I need to watch this patient?”, this question doesn’t always have a clear answer. Read more...
Chemical structure for xylazine. Xylazine Highlighted in January Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: January 22, 2019
On Oct. 30, 2018, Anne Arundel County (Maryland) police announced that they had confiscated a large amount of drugs in a major drug bust and arrested 21 people. Besides fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, 8.86 kilograms of xylazine were seized. What is xylazine? Read more...
Woman sitting on couch with feet propped up on ottoman. A bottle of cold medicine is sat beside her feet. Cough and Cold Medicine Safety Featured in Jan./Feb. Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: January 16, 2019
Winter is upon us! Along with the cold air and snow comes runny noses and coughs. Oftentimes, we reach for over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines without a thought. Before opening the medicine cabinet this year, let’s remember a few very important points. Read more...