Conclusion

DNP is a diet drug that has been banned by the FDA. It has a very narrow therapeutic window, which has resulted in accidental death by hyperthermia of a number of patients, including the young man described in this article. Reversing the hyperthermic effect of DNP is difficult and may be impossible after a certain temperature has been reached. Airway control is compromised by muscle contraction at the cellular level. Death from taking this drug is tragic; those who cared for this patient felt this was a horrific way to die. Efforts to stop distribution of the drug are taking place in some countries and should be increased worldwide.

Dr. Jessa Baker is a fourth-year resident at the University of California, Los Angeles Department of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Mark Baker is an emergency medicine physician with the Pali Momi Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine in Aiea, Hawaii.

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