Mouthwash overdose

Definition:

This poisoning from an overdose of mouthwash.

Alternative Names:

Listerine

Poisonous Ingredient:

Ethanol (drinking alcohol)

Where Found:

Listerine
Many other mouthwashes

Symptoms:

Body as a whole
- Collapse
- Convulsions
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive thirst
- Listing from side to side
- Decreased urine output
- Slurred speech
- Unable to walk in a normal manner
- Low blood sugar
Respiratory
- Deep breathing - may be rapid
- Rapid breathing - may be shallow
- Slowed respirations
- Stopped breathing
Skin
- Bluish skin (lips and fingernails)
Gastrointestinal
Heart and blood vessels
- Drop in blood pressure
Nervous system

Home Treatment:

Call Poison Control. Seek emergency medical care immediately.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following:

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:

Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Administer a laxative.
Establish and maintain airway.
Monitor blood alcohol levels.
Admit to the hospital or the intensive care unit.
Kidney dialysis.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the patient survives the first 24 hours without any major problems, survival is very likely. Poisoning symptoms will be from ethyl alcohol, and not as likely from the other agents mentioned.

Review Date: 2/7/2002
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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