Michael A. Darracq MD, MPH

  • Associate Professor, UCSF
  • Co-President, American College of Medical Toxicology Recent Graduate Section

Emergency Medicine & Medical Toxicology

Michael A. Darracq, MD, MPH, is board certified in Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology.

He earned his medical degree from University of California, Davis. At UC Davis, he also completed his residency in Emergency Medicine. His fellowship in Medical Toxicology was completed at University of California, San Diego. He earned his Master of Public Health at American Military University.

His professional interests are Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology, and Wilderness/Austere Medicine.

From 2004 to 2011, Dr. Darracq served in the United States Navy. His position was Staff Emergency Physician and Core Faculty at the Naval Medical Center San Diego Emergency Medicine Residency. Then he was a part of the Forward Deployment in Afghanistan in 2008 to 2009 as a Emergency Medicine Mentor, Afghan National Army.

His awards include:

  • Researcher of the Year: Department of Emergency Medicine, UCSF-Fresno 2014, 2017
  • Faculty of the Year: Department of Emergency Medicine, UCSF-Fresno 2014, 2015
  • Faculty of the Year: UCSF-Fresno Housestaff, 2015
  • Faculty of the Year: Department of Emergency Medicine, Naval Medical Center, San Diego: 2008

Dr. Darracq is fluent in Spanish.

Education and Training

  • Medical Toxicology Fellowship – University of California, San Diego – San Diego, CA
  • Emergency Medicine Residency – University of California, Davis – Davis, CA
  • Doctor of Medicine – University of California, Davis – Davis, CA
  • Master of Public Health – American Military University – Charles Town, WV
  • Bachelor of Science, Cognitive Sciences – University of California, San Diego – San Diego, CA

Licensure & Certifications

  • American Board of Emergency Medicine – Emergency Medicine
  • American Board of Emergency Medicine – Medical Toxicology
  • California State Medical License

Research and Publications

  • Backyard Pool Party: Not Your Typical Sunburn.
    Darracq MA, Heppner J, Lee H, Armenian P.
    Pediatr Emerg Care. 2017 Jun;33(6):440-442. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001204.
    PMID: 28570364
  • Haloperidol undermining gastroparesis symptoms (HUGS) in the emergency department.
    Ramirez R, Stalcup P, Croft B, Darracq MA.
    Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Aug;35(8):1118-1120. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.03.015. Epub 2017 Mar 12.
    PMID: 28320545
  • Analysis of intraosseous blood samples using an EPOC point of care analyzer during resuscitation.
    Tallman CI, Darracq M, Young M.
    Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Mar;35(3):499-501. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2016.12.005. Epub 2016 Dec 12.
    PMID: 27998615
  • A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Sub-Dissociative Dose Ketamine Pilot Study in the Treatment of Acute Depression and Suicidality in a Military Emergency Department Setting.
    Burger J, Capobianco M, Lovern R, Boche B, Ross E, Darracq MA, McLay R.
    Mil Med. 2016 Oct;181(10):1195-1199.
    PMID: 27753551
  • A Case of 3,4-Dimethoxyamphetamine (3,4-DMA) and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Toxicity with Possible Metabolic Interaction.
    Darracq MA, Thornton SL, Minns AB, Gerona RR.
    J Psychoactive Drugs. 2016 Nov-Dec;48(5):351-354. Epub 2016 Sep 16.
    PMID: 27636207
  • Salicylate toxicity in the absence of anion gap metabolic acidosis.
    Bauer S, Darracq MA.
    Am J Emerg Med. 2016 Jul;34(7):1328.e1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.12.038. Epub 2015 Dec 21.
    PMID: 26774991
  • A chance to cut is not always a chance to cure- fasciotomy in the treatment of rattlesnake envenomation: A retrospective poison center study.
    Darracq MA, Cantrell FL, Klauk B, Thornton SL.
    Toxicon. 2015 Jul;101:23-6. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.04.014. Epub 2015 Apr 29.
    PMID: 25935457
  • Nebulized fentanyl vs intravenous morphine for ED patients with acute abdominal pain: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
    Deaton T, Auten JD, Darracq MA.
    Am J Emerg Med. 2015 Jun;33(6):791-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.03.046. Epub 2015 Mar 25.
    PMID: 25840767
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine practices in military personnel and families presenting to a military emergency department.
    Ross EM, Darracq MA.
    Mil Med. 2015 Mar;180(3):350-4. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00304.
    PMID: 25735028
  • Orbeez: the magic water absorbing bead–risk of pediatric bowel obstruction?
    Darracq MA, Cullen J, Rentmeester L, Cantrell FL, Ly BT.
    Pediatr Emerg Care. 2015 Jun;31(6):416-8. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000304. Review.
    PMID: 25474093
  • Comprehensive analysis of “bath salts” purchased from California stores and the internet.
    Schneir A, Ly BT, Casagrande K, Darracq M, Offerman SR, Thornton S, Smollin C, Vohra R, Rangun C, Tomaszewski C, Gerona RR.
    Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014 Aug;52(7):651-8. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2014.933231.
    PMID: 25089721
  • Novel anticoagulants should NOT be recommended for high-risk activity.
    Darracq MA, Young M.
    Wilderness Environ Med. 2014 Sep;25(3):359-60. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2014.01.007. Epub 2014 Apr 14. No abstract available.
    PMID: 24731831
  • Altered mental status due to pruno intoxication.
    Zanoni S, Carstairs S, Darracq MA.
    J Emerg Med. 2014 Jun;46(6):767-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.125. Epub 2014 Mar 27.
    PMID: 24680101
  • A retrospective review of isolated gliptin-exposure cases reported to a state poison control system.
    Darracq MA, Toy JM, Chen T, Mo C, Cantrell FL.
    Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014 Mar;52(3):226-30. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2014.889302.
    PMID: 24580063
  • Castor bean seed ingestions: a state-wide poison control system’s experience.
    Thornton SL, Darracq M, Lo J, Cantrell FL.
    Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014 Apr;52(4):265-8. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2014.892124. Epub 2014 Mar 2.
    PMID: 24579983
  • A review of methylene blue treatment for cardiovascular collapse.
    Lo JC, Darracq MA, Clark RF.
    J Emerg Med. 2014 May;46(5):670-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.102. Epub 2014 Feb 6. Review.
    PMID: 24508113
  • Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response resulting from low-voltage electrical injury.
    Zanoni S, Siefert JA, Darracq MA.
    J Emerg Med. 2013 Nov;45(5):e149-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.05.043. Epub 2013 Aug 9.
    PMID: 23937813
  • Disaster preparedness of poison control centers in the USA: a 15-year follow-up study.
    Darracq MA, Clark RF, Jacoby I, Vilke GM, DeMers G, Cantrell FL.
    J Med Toxicol. 2014 Mar;10(1):19-25. doi: 10.1007/s13181-013-0315-x.
    PMID: 23842905
  • Hand sanitizer intoxication following a crude extraction method.
    Darracq MA, Ghafouri N, Pesce A, Cantrell FL.
    Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2013 May;39(3):217-8. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2013.773335.
    PMID: 23721538
  • Hemodialysis and extracorporeal removal after pediatric and adolescent poisoning reported to a state poison center.
    Darracq MA, Cantrell FL.
    J Emerg Med. 2013 Jun;44(6):1101-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.12.018. Epub 2013 Apr 18.
    PMID: 23602791
  • Other causes of methemoglobinemia in pediatric patients and potential explanation for ibuprofen-induced methemoglobinemia. In response to “toxic methemoglobinemia due to ibuprofen: report of a pediatric case” by Khemiri et al.
    Darracq MA, Matteucci MJ.
    J Emerg Med. 2013 May;44(5):989-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2011.03.039. Epub 2013 Mar 5. No abstract available.
    PMID: 23466025
  • Utilization of hyperinsulinemia euglycemia and intravenous fat emulsion following poison center recommendations.
    Darracq MA, Thornton SL, Do HM, Bok D, Clark RF, Cantrell FL.
    J Med Toxicol. 2013 Sep;9(3):226-30. doi: 10.1007/s13181-013-0290-2.
    PMID: 23412936
  • A retrospective review of isolated duloxetine-exposure cases.
    Darracq MA, Clark A, Qian L, Cantrell FL.
    Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2013 Feb;51(2):106-10. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2013.766749. Epub 2013 Jan 29.
    PMID: 23356816
  • Cost of hemodialysis versus fomepizole-only for treatment of ethylene glycol intoxication.
    Darracq MA, Rentmeester LL, Clark RF, Tomaszewski CA, Schneir AB, Cantrell FL.
    Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2013 Mar;51(3):188. doi: 10.3109/15563650.2013.766750. Epub 2013 Jan 29.
    PMID: 23356815
  • In reply.
    Darracq MA, Ward NT, Tomaszewski C, Clark RF.
    Ann Emerg Med. 2013 Feb;61(2):254-5. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.08.017. No abstract available. Erratum in: Ann Emerg Med. 2013 Mar;61(3):252.
    PMID: 23331653
  • Gastric aspirate fluorescence in ethylene glycol poisoning.
    Darracq MA, Ly BT.
    J Emerg Med. 2012 Dec;43(6):e457-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.07.054. Epub 2012 Sep 11.
    PMID: 22975284
  • Evidence-based treatment of jellyfish stings in North America and Hawaii.
    Ward NT, Darracq MA, Tomaszewski C, Clark RF.
    Ann Emerg Med. 2012 Oct;60(4):399-414. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.04.010. Epub 2012 Jun 6. Review.
    PMID: 22677532
  • Ondansetron-associated hypotension following pediatric self-poisoning.
    Ghafouri N, Darracq MA, Cantrell FL.
    Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012 Jun;28(6):596-7. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e318258c13b. No abstract available.
    PMID: 22668671
  • Comment: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome versus serotonin syndrome: the search for a diagnostic tool.
    Darracq MA.
    Ann Pharmacother. 2012 Apr;46(4):611-2; author reply 613. doi: 10.1345/aph.1P787a. Epub 2012 Mar 13.
    PMID: 22414789
  • Images in emergency medicine: left atrial myxoma.
    Darracq MA.
    West J Emerg Med. 2008 May;9(2):125.
    PMID: 19561723
  • Preservation of active range of motion after acute elbow trauma predicts absence of elbow fracture.
    Darracq MA, Vinson DR, Panacek EA.
    Am J Emerg Med. 2008 Sep;26(7):779-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2007.11.005.
    PMID: 18774042
  • A cyanotic toddler.
    Darracq MA, Daubert GP.
    Pediatr Emerg Care. 2007 Mar;23(3):195-9.
    PMID: 17413440
  • Nontropic actions of neurotrophins: subcortical nerve growth factor gene delivery reverses age-related degeneration of primate cortical cholinergic innervation.
    Conner JM, Darracq MA, Roberts J, Tuszynski MH.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Feb 13;98(4):1941-6.
    PMID: 11172055

Department Affiliations

UCSF Fresno Department of Emergency Medicine