Cigars

Home treatment:

Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control for verification. Do not induce emesis (vomiting) if the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Inducing emesis may not be necessary if only a small portion of the cigar was ingested.

If instructed to induce emesis, the 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 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 emesis.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the patient survives the first 4 hours, complete recovery is very likely. Recovery is gradual, following a period of weakness.