Health Encyclopedia

Antifreeze poisoning

Definition

Antifreeze is a liquid used to cool engines. It is also called engine coolant. This article discusses poisoning caused by swallowing antifreeze.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Engine coolant poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Ethylene glycol
Methanol
Propylene glycol

Where Found

Various antifreezes

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Bladder and kidneys
- No urine output
- Blood in urine
Lungs
- Rapid breathing
- Stop breathing
Skin
- Blue lips and fingernails
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Heart and blood
- Rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Convulsions
Nervous system
- Headache
- Stupor (lack of alertness)
- Unconsciousness
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady walk
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Coma
- Dizziness
Muscles and joints
- Leg cramps
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Blindness

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Use standard first aid and CPR for signs of shock or cardiac arrest. Call your local Poison Control Center or 911 for further assistance.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
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 United States 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 hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

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. The patient may receive:

Dialysis
Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
Tube through the nose into the stomach to wash out stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

For ethylene glycol: Death may occur within the first 24 hours. If patient survives, there may be little or no urine output for several weeks before the kidneys recover. Any brain damage may be permanent. Vision loss or blindness may also be permanent.

For methanol: Methanol is extremely toxic. As little as 2 TABLEspoons can kill a child, while 2 to 8 oz. can be deadly for an adult. The ultimate outcome depends on how much was swallowed and how soon appropriate care was given.

Review Date:2/9/2009
Reviewed By:A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/24/2007).

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