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    Methyl salicylate overdose

    Definition

    This is poisoning from swallowing methyl salicylate.

    Alternative Names

    Deep heating rubs overdose; Oil of wintergreen overdose

    Poisonous Ingredient

    • Methyl salicylate

    Where Found

    • Oil of wintergreen
    • Deep-heating creams used to relieve sore muscles and joints
    • Solutions for vaporizers
    Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

    Symptoms

    Before Calling Emergency

    Determine the following information:

    • Patient's age, weight, and condition
    • Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
    • Time it was swallowed
    • Amount swallowed

    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.

    Take the container with you to the hospital, 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:

    • Methods to make the person throw up
    • Activated charcoal.
    • Laxative
    • Blood tests to determine the salicylate level in the blood
    • Fluids (milk, fruit juice, or, in severe cases, IV fluids)
    • Sodium bicarbonate 
    • Dialysis (in severe cases)

    Outlook (Prognosis)

    How well a patient does depends on how much salicylate is in the blood. The person usually recovers if the effect of the salicylate can be turned off (neutralized).

    Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is the most poisonous (toxic) form of the salicylates. Doses of less than 1 teaspoonful have been deadly in small children.


    Review Date: 3/13/2006
    Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.
    The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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