Nicotine poisoning

Definition

Nicotine is a bitter-tasting compound that naturally occurs in large amounts in the leaves of tobacco plants.

Nicotine poisoning results from too much nicotine. Acute nicotine poisoning usually occurs in young children who accidentally chew on nicotine gum or patches.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

Nicotine

Where Found

• Chewing tobacco
• Cigarettes
• Nicotine gum (Nicorette)
• Nicotine patches (Habitrol, Nicoderm)
• Pipe tobacco
• Some insecticides
• Tobacco leaves

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

• Abdominal cramps
• Agitation, restlessness, or excitement
• Muscular twitching
• Breathing - rapid
• Breathing - stops
• Burning sensation in mouth
• Coma
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Depression
• Difficulty breathing
• Drooling (increased salivation)
• Fainting
• Headache
• Heartbeat - pounding and rapid, followed by slow heart rate
• High blood pressure, which then drops
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

If the chemical is on the skin, wash with soap and lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
• When it was swallowed or inhaled
• The amount swallowed or inhaled

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

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

• Activated charcoal
• Tube through the mouth or nose into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

A nicotine overdose may cause seizures or death. However, unless there are complications, long-term effects from nicotine are uncommon.

References