Iberiotoxin

The venom produces mainly cardiopulmonary abnormalities like circulatory derangements, myocarditis and changes in cardiac sarcolemmal ATPase and by these abnormalities it can finally cause death. In rural India the scorpion and its venom is a commonly known factor of children's death. The venom initially causes transient cholinergic stimulation (vomiting, profuse sweating, bradycardia, priapism, hypersalivation, and hypotension) which is followed by sustained adrenergic hyperactivity (hypertension, tachycardia, and myocardial failure). The adrenergic phase but not the cholinergic phase is a dose-dependent phenomenon.^[4]

Treatment is mainly symptomatic. Local pain is treated by injecting dehydroemetine at the site of the sting. Hypovolaemia is corrected by oral rehydration solution. Agitated, confused and non-cooperative patients are given a 5% dextrose saline drip. Patients with hypertension on admission are given a single dose of 5 mg sublingual nifedipine and oral prazosin. The blood pressure in patients with hypertension is controlled with sublingual nifedipine alone. Patients with pulmonary oedema are propped up and given intravenous aminophylline, intravenous sodium bicarbonate, oral prazosin, and oxygen by mask.^[4]