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Mouthwash overdose

Definition

This poisoning from an overdose of mouthwash.

Alternative Names

Listerine overdose; Antiseptic mouth rinse overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

• Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
• Methyl salicylate
• Chlorhexidine gluconate
• Hydrogen peroxide

Where Found

Many brands of mouthwash including Listerine, Scope, and Rembrandt.

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

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

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Blood alcohol levels will also be checked.

The patient may receive:

• Fluids
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   
• Artificial respiration
• Kidney dialysis

The patient may be admitted to the hospital.

Expectations (prognosis)

If the patient survives the first 24 hours without any major problems, survival is very likely.

Review Date:3/17/2006
Reviewed By:Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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