Boric acid overdose

Home treatment:

If boric acid is on the skin, remove by washing the area. If boric acid was swallowed, call Poison Control for guidance.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

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:

• Induce vomiting.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Give liquids by mouth or intravenously.
• Administer dialysis.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

There is high death rate in infants who have ingested enough boric acid to exhibit symptoms of an overdose.