Organophosphate poisoning is a condition that occurs when a person is exposed to a large amount of organophosphates, which are chemical compounds that control insects and are commonly used in agriculture or household items like ant and cockroach spray. Exposure to organophosphates can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Symptoms of organophosphate poisoning can be divided into three broad categories: muscarinic effects, nicotinic effects, and central nervous system (CNS) effects. Some of the early symptoms include watery eyes, small pupils, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle tremors, and confusion. In some cases, organophosphate poisoning can lead to death.

The first step in the management of patients with organophosphate poisoning is putting on personal protective equipment, as these patients may still have the compound on them, and you must protect yourself from exposure. Secondly, the patient must be decontaminated, which means removing and destroying all clothing because it may be contaminated even after washing, and the patient’s skin needs to be flushed with water. Confirmation of organophosphate poisoning is based on the measurement of cholinesterase activity, but typically, these results are not readily available. Treatment for organophosphate poisoning includes the administration of atropine, which is a medication that blocks the action of acetylcholine, and pralidoxime, which reactivates acetylcholinesterase. If a person is exposed to a large amount of organophosphates and survives, they may notice certain neurological symptoms and complications that persist for months or even years, including confusion, loss of memory, and tiredness or insomnia.