Calcium carbonate overdose

Definition:

This poisoning is from an overdose of calcium carbonate.

Alternative Names:

Tums; Calcium

Poisonous Ingredient:

Calcium

Where Found:

Calcium carbonate
In some antacids (Tums, Chooz)
In some mineral supplements
In some vitamin and/or mineral supplements
In some hand lotions

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Body as a whole
- Bone pain
Gastrointestinal
Heart and blood vessels
- Irregular heartbeat
Nervous system:

Home Treatment:

Do not induce vomiting. If you suspect a calcium carbonate overdose, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, 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:

For swallowed poison
- Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach
- Activated charcoal administration
- Take a blood sample taken to determine salicylate level in blood
- Give IV fluids
- Admission to the hospital
- Treat the symptoms

Expectations (prognosis):

Calcium carbonate is considered a fairly nontoxic substance, so recovery is quite likely. Chronic overuse is more serious than acute (1 time) overdose.

Review Date: 2/2/2002
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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