Menthol overdose

Home treatment:

If the menthol is in ointment/cream form, wipe away any that remains on the skin's surface.

Call Poison Control for further guidance.

If instructed to induce emesis, standard procedure is as follows:

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

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:

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:

• Administer castor oil.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis (must be done very carefully so the patient will not inhale any of the oil). This is best left to the medical personnel at an emergency room.
• Give milk or mineral oil.
• Give other fluids, with the amount being determined by kidney function.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur.