Hypotension, bradycardia and syncope caused by honey poisoning

Abstract

Honey intoxication, a kind of food poisoning, can be seen in the Black Sea region of Turkey and in various other parts of the world as well. In this study, 66 patients were hospitalized with a variety of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, salivation, dizziness, weakness, hypotension, bradycardia and syncope several hours after the ingestion of small amounts of honey. All patients had hypotension, and majority had bradycardia. These features resolved completely in 24 h with i.v. fluids and atropine, and none died. In conclusion, honey poisoning should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and in the patients with vomiting, hypotension and bradycardia.