Iodine overdose

Home treatment:

Call the Poison Control center for guidance. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

Give milk, cornstarch, or flour by mouth (15 gm in 500 ml, or just over a pint of water). Continue to give milk every 15 minutes.

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 person 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:

• Perform gastric lavage, depending on the extent of esophageal injury.
• Give milk every 15 minutes.
• Establish and maintain airway.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Survival after 48 hours usually indicates recovery will occur, with the possibility of esophageal stricture as a complication. Products containing iodine rarely produce serious side effects.