12th March 2024

Organophosphate poisoning

Organophosphates are used in pesticides and can be absorbed through the skin and lungs. Symptoms are caused by stimulation of muscarinic receptors (diarrhoea, urination, salivation and sweating) and nicotinic receptors (hypertension, brady/tachycardias). Atropine can alleviate muscarinic symptoms by acting as a competitive inhibitor.