Mineral oil overdose

Mineral oil is a liquid oil made from petroleum. Mineral oil overdose occurs when someone swallows a large amount of this substance. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Mineral oil can be poisonous in large amounts.

Where Found

Mineral oil is sold just as the oil itself. It may also be found in some:

• Antacids
• Diaper rash medicines

  Diaper rash

  A rash is a change in the color or texture of the skin. A skin rash can be BumpyFlatRed, skin-colored, or slightly lighter or darker than skin color...

   

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• Eye care products
• Hemorrhoid medicines

  Hemorrhoid

  Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or lower part of the rectum.

   

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• Laxatives

Other products may also contain mineral oil.

Symptoms

Mineral oil has a laxative effect. Symptoms of an overdose may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration (from severe diarrhea)

  Dehydration

  Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...

   

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• Diarrhea

  Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

   

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• Nausea
• Vomiting

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. Do NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicine to treat symptoms
• Tube through the nose into the stomach

Outlook (Prognosis)

Mineral oil is not very poisonous, and recovery is likely. How well someone does depends on the amount of mineral oil swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance is for recovery.

The outcome may be poor if the oil enters the lungs.