Human poisoning with pentachlorophenol and its treatment.

A case of intentional intoxication with pentachlorophenol has been described. Salient features observed included pyrexia, diaphoresis, hyperkinesis, muscle twitching, tremors, epigastric tenderness, leg pain, tachypnea, and tachycardia. The patient's restlessness and agitation were controlled with phenytoin and phenobarbital. Forced diuresis with furosemide and mannitol resulted in a large increase in urinary excretion of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that such therapy may be life saving in such intoxications.