paraquat
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Related to paraquat: paraquat poisoning, diquat
paraquat
[par´ah-kwat]a poisonous compound some of whose salts are used as contact herbicides. Concentrated solutions cause skin irritation, cracking and shedding of nails, and delayed healing of cuts and wounds. After ingestion of large doses, renal and hepatic failure may develop, followed by pulmonary insufficiency, sometimes ending fatally; it may also be accidentally inhaled. Since it is absorbed slowly from the gastrointestinal tract, the best treatment for poisoning is administration of a large amount of an absorbent such as activated charcoal to bind with the paraquat, followed by a cathartic to shorten transit time.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
par·a·quat
(par'ă-kwaht),A weedkiller that produces delayed toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and lungs when ingested; progressive interstitial pneumonia with proliferation of alveolar lining cells may develop.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
paraquat
(păr′ə-kwŏt′)n.
A toxic nonpersistent contact herbicide, C12H14 N2, usually formulated as its colorless dichloride salt, C12H14Cl2N2, or yellow bismethyl sulfate salt, C12H14N2O8S2.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
par·a·quat
(par'ă-kwaht)A weedkiller that produces delayed toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and lungs when ingested.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
paraquat
A highly poisonous defoliant weedkiller that can cause progressive lung damage, respiratory failure and kidney failure. The poison can be absorbed through the skin. Charcoal or Fuller's earth are useful antidotes.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005