Fluoroacetates are powerful poisons and their use is limited to special conditions, such as aboard ships or in sewers. Fluroacetates block the tricarboxylic acid cycle of carbohydrate metabolism. Their toxic action occurs within one to two hours after ingestion. The symptoms that occur are agitation, convulsions, heart irregularities, collapse, and coma.
Diagnosis and treatment
Clinically, it is not possible to wait for the results of laboratory tests. It is possible to analytically assess the concentration of fluoroacetate in the blood, but usually the result is used after death. Besides fighting seizures with diazepam all that can be done is to maintain breathing and ensure all supportive measures.
Source: Vadecum of poisoning therapy by Roy Goulding
