Health Encyclopedia

Oleander

Definition

This is poisoning from sucking nectar from the flowers or chewing leaves from the oleander or yellow oleander plant. Poisoning can also happen if you eat honey made by bees that used the oleander plant for nectar.

Alternative Names

Rosebay poisoning; Yellow oleander poisoning; Thevatia peruviana poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Neriin
Oleondroside
Oleandrin

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

Twigs, leaves, and flowers of the oleander plant

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal

Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Nausea
Stomach pain
Diarrhea

Heart and blood

Irregular or slow heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Weakness

Nervous system

Drowsiness
Confusion
Depression
Headache
Fainting
Lethargy
Disorientation
Dizziness
Death

Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat

Skin

Rash
Hives

Note: Depression, loss of appetite, and halos are usually only seen in chronic overdose cases.

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

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

EKG
Blood tests to determineserum magnesium andserum potassium levels
Medicine to reverse effect of the poison (antidote)
Treatment to correct electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances
Medicines to treat symptoms
Activated charcoal
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

If the individual survives the first 24 hours their chances of survival are very good.

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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