Health Encyclopedia

Jimsonweed

Definition

This is poisoning from sucking the juice or eating the seeds from a jimsonweed plant. You can also be poisoned by drinking tea made from the leaves.

Jimsonweed is known as Jamestown weed, thorn apple, stinkweed, Datura, and moonflower.

Alternative Names

Angel's trumpet; Devil's weed; Thorn apple; Tolguacha

Poisonous Ingredient

Hyoscyamine
Atropine
Hyoscine (scopolamine)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

The poison is found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and seeds.

Symptoms

Bladder and kidneys

Little to no urine production (Urine retention)

Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth

Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Dilated pupils

Skin

Red skin

Gastrointestinal

Nausea
Vomiting

Heart and blood

Rapid pulse
Elevated blood pressure

Nervous system

Hallucinations
Dizziness
Headache
Convulsions
Delirium
Coma
Death

Whole Body

Fever
Thirst

Home Treatment

Do not make the person throw up unless told to do so by a doctor or Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the plant
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 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.

Bring the plant with you to the emergency room, if possible.

See National Poison Control Center.

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:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicines to make the person throw up
Medicines to reverse the effects of the poison
Activated charcoal
Laxative
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

Symptoms last for 1-3 days and usually require hospitalization. Death is unlikely.

How well a patient does depends on how much of the poison was swallowed, their age, and how quickly treatment was received.

Review Date:3/21/2006
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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