Lethal poisoning by dinitrophenol

Abstract

2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) is a chemical that decouples oxidative phosphorylation leading to cell death. The case of an individual who ingested 2 grams of DNP in order to lose weight is presented. He was treated 22 hours after the exposure, with diaphoresis, agitation, sensation of fever and palpitations. He developed fever, tachycardia and tachypnea; and, in the lab tests, lactic acidosis, azoemia and leukocytosis with left deviation were evident. He evolved unfavorably with muscle stiffness, stridor and asystole, dying within 26 hours of ingestion of the poison. Management in these cases is supportive and gastrointestinal decontamination. There is no antidote.