Hydrazine Toxicity, Pyridoxine Therapy, and Peripheral Neuropathy

Excerpt

To the editor: A patient who had hydrazine intoxication was successfully treated with megadoses of pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B₆) and subsequently developed a sensory polyneuropathy that resolved spontaneously.

A 24-year-old man accidentally ingested a mouthful of hydrazine and immediately became confused, lethargic, and restless. On admission to a local hospital, a complete chemistry profile was normal. He remained confused, and his general condition remained stable until 3 days after admission, when results of liver function tests were noted to be elevated: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 600 mU/mL (normal, 5 to 30); lactate dehydrogenase, 650 mU/mL (normal, 75 to 200); and total