Classification of Poisons

Classification of Poisons (According to their mode of action)

1. (According to their mode of action)










Dr.Amandeep Sharma,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Agad Tantra,
Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College & Hospital,
Desh Bhagat University,
Mandi Gobindgarh.

2. POISONS
(According to their mode of
action)

I. Corrosives
II. Irritants
III. Neurotics
IV. Cardiac
V. Asphyxiants
VI. Miscellaneous

3. Strong acids
Strong alkalis
Metallic salts

4. Mineral or inorganic acids: e.g. HCl, HNO
3,
H
2SO
4
Organic acids: e.g. carbolic, oxalic and
acetic acid

5. Caustic soda, caustic potash, carbonates of
sodium, potassium and ammonium

6. Zinc chloride,
Ferric chloride or AgNO3

7. Inorganic
Organic
Mechanical

8. Metallic, e.g. arsenic, antimony, copper,
lead, mercury, zinc
Non-metallic, e.g. phosphorus, chlorine,
iodine, CCl
4

9. •Vegetative, e.g. rati, castor, croton,
calotropis
•Animal, e.g. snakes, cantharides, scorpions,
spiders

10. Powdered glass, hair, diamond dust, needles

11. Cerebral
Spinal
Peripheral

12. Somniferous (sleep inducing), e.g. opioids

Inebriants (containing alcohol as the active
agent) e.g. alcohol, anesthetics, ether

Deliriants (inhibit the function of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine) e.g. dhatura,
cannabis, cocaine (from Coca Plant leaves)

13. Nux vomica (Kuchla),
Gelsemium (a plant of a genus that includes
the yellow jasmine.)

14. Curare (A muscle relaxant used in
anesthesia prepared from a type of Plant)
Conium (Resinous substances from South
American Plants)

15. Digitalis (Hritpatri), oleander (Kaner), aconite
(Vatsanabha), nicotine (Tobacco),
hydrocyanic acid.

16. CO, CO
2, H
2S, war gases.

17. i.Agrochemicals
ii.Drugs of dependence
iii.Petroleum products
iv.Food poisoning
v.Others

18. A.Pesticides (Pesticides are substances that
are meant to control pests):
Organophosphates, organochlorines
B.Fumigants (a chemical that produces
fumes used to disinfect or purify an area):
Alphos, ethylene dibromide
C.Rodenticides (a poison used to kill
rodents.): Thallium sulphate, zinc phosphide
D.Herbicides (a substance that is toxic to
plants, used to destroy unwanted
vegetation.): Paraquat, bromoxynil

19. Tranquillizers (a medicinal drug taken to
reduce tension or anxiety.)
Antidepressants (Antidepressants work by
balancing chemicals in your brain called
neurotransmitters that affect mood and
emotions)
Hallucinogens (a drug that causes
hallucinations i.e. an experience involving
the apparent perception of something not
present).

20. Kerosene
Petrol,
Naphtha (is a flammable liquid hydrocarbon
mixture)

21. Bacterial- Caused by presence of pathogenic
bacteria in the food (e.g. Botulism-is a rare and
potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced
by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum)
Chemical- Caused by chemicals such as antibiotics
or pesticides in the food.

22. Analgesics (an agent producing diminished
sensation to pain without loss of
consciousness)
Antipyretics (Antipyretic is medication used
to lower body temperature when a fever is
present.)

23. Thanks