LESSONS TO BE LEARNED - A CASE-STUDY APPROACH - HYPERACTIVITY AND CONFUSION IN THE PRESENTATION OF HYOSCINE OVERDOSE

The case report is presented of a ten-and-a-half year old boy with acu te onset of confusion and visual hallucinations, subsequently confirme d to be due to hyoscine toxicity following ingestion of over-the-count er (OTC) travel sickness tablets. It is suggested that packs of such p ills should carry a prominent cautionary label. A clear clinical histo ry is very important - not only in aiding the differentiation of acute viral infections involving the central nervous system (such as acute encephalitis) from drug toxicity, but: also in rationalising any furth er diagnostic investigations. The possible underlying reasons for drug ingestion in this case are discussed.