Vicks Vaporub overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of camphor.

Alternative Names:

Camphor overdose

Poisonous Ingredient:

camphor

Where Found:

camphorated oil
Vicks Vaporub
some moth repellents
topical analgesics

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- twitching facial muscles
- muscle spasms
- excessive thirst
- convulsions - with camphor
- rigid muscles
respiratory
- slow breathing
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- burning of the mouth and/or the throat
skin
- skin irritation
gastrointestinal
- abdominal pain
- nausea and/or vomiting
heart and blood vessels
- rapid pulse
nervous system

Home Treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING) UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY POISON CONTROL.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the 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:

If you are concerned about a camphor overdose, seek medical care immediately. 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:

Induce emesis.
Administer activated charcoal.
Use gastric lavage.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

The extent of illness and survival will depend on the amount of exposure and time to treatment.

Review Date: 2/18/2001
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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