The Deadly Consequences of Paraquat Ingestion: A Clinical Overview

Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide commonly used in agricultural settings. It poses significant health risks upon ingestion. And mechanisms of toxicity involve oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and multi-organ damage/failure. We report a 40-year-old female who ingested an unknown quantity of Paraquat. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and management strategies are discussed. As there is currently no known treatment for paraquat poisoning, preventative efforts must be prioritized. Although uncommon, paraquat ingestion can result in severe and often fatal toxicity.