Mineral oil overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

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Mineral oil overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of mineral oil.

Poisonous Ingredient:

mineral oil

Where Found:

mineral oil
some antacids
some eye care products
some laxatives
some diaper rash medications
some hemorrhoid medications

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

mild laxative action
dehydration if diarrhea is severe
nausea and vomiting

Home Treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING)! Call Poison Control for guidance.

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:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. 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:

Observe the patient.
Administer fluids.
Activated charcoal
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Mineral oil is considered basically nontoxic, and recovery will likely occur.

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