Causes and Risks:

• ethanol
• isopropanol

Where Found:

• various perfumes

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • weakness
  • leg cramps
  • convulsions
• respiratory
  • breathing difficulty (breathing may be rapid and shallow)
  • stop breathing
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • blurred vision
  • dilation of the pupils
• skin
  • bluish skin, lips or fingernails
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and vomiting
• heart and blood vessels
  • low blood pressure
• nervous system
  • coma
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • dizziness

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

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

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

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength 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:

• Induce emesis.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Treat the symptoms.

Ethanol and isopropanol can be extremely toxic. The ultimate outcome for the patient depends on how much was swallowed and how soon appropriate care was given.