Nicotine overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of nicotine.

Poisonous Ingredient:

nicotine

Where Found:

some animal tranquilizers
some brands of insecticide
tobacco leaves
cigarettes
chewing tobacco
pipe tobacco
nicotine gum (Nicorette)
nicotine-transdermal-patches (Habitrol, Nicoderm)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
respiratory
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- dilated pupils
gastrointestinal
- abdominal cramps
- vomiting
- drooling (increased salivation)
- burning in mouth causing mouth lesions
heart and blood vessels
- rapid and pounding heartbeat followed by slow heart rate
- elevated blood pressure followed by decreased blood pressure
nervous system

Home Treatment:

Seek emergency medical care immediately. Call Poison Control. You may be instructed to INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING).

If there is topical (skin) exposure, wash the area well with soap and water.

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Administer activated charcoal.
Administer a laxative.
Use gastric lavage.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Overdose may cause seizures. Recovery depends on the dose, time to treatment, and severity of seizures. Overdose is potentially fatal. Recovery is usually gradual, following a period of weakness.

Review Date: 2/11/2001
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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