Causes and Risks:

• ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
• methyl salicylate (see methyl salicylate overdose)
• thymol
• eucalyptol

Where Found:

• Listerine

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • collapse
  • convulsions
  • excessive sweating
  • excessive thirst
  • listing from side to side
  • decreased urine output
  • slurred speech
  • unable to walk in a normal manner
  • low blood sugar
• respiratory
  • deep breathing- may be rapid
  • rapid breathing- may be shallow
  • slowed respirations
  • stopped breathing
• skin
  • bluish skin (lips and fingernails)
• gastrointestinal
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • nausea and vomiting
• heart and blood vessels
  • drop in blood pressure
• nervous system
  • coma
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness

Home Treatment: Call Poison Control. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY Poison Control.

If instructed to induce emesis, standard procedure is as follows:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for adults. Follow with 1/2 glassful or 4 ounces (oz.). of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat one more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Establish and maintain airway.
• Monitor blood alcohol levels.
• Treat the symptoms.

If the patient survives the first 24 hours without any major problems, survival is very likely. Poisoning symptoms will be from ethyl alcohol and not as likely from the other agents mentioned.