Methyl salicylate overdose

Definition

Methyl salicylate is a wintergreen-scented chemical found in many over-the-counter products, including muscle ache creams. Methyl salicylate overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a product containing this substance.

See also: Sports cream overdose

Alternative Names

Deep heating rubs overdose; Oil of wintergreen overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

• Methyl salicylate

Where Found

• Deep-heating creams (Ben Gay, Icy Hot) used to relieve sore muscles and joints
• Oil of wintergreen
• Solutions for vaporizers

Note: This list may not include all products that contain methyl salicytate.

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Eye irritation
  • Loss of vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Throat swelling
• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Collapse
  • Convulsions
• Kidneys, urinary system
  • Kidney failure
• Lungs
  • Difficulty breathing
  • No breathing
  • Rapid breathing
• Nervous system
  • Agitation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Hallucinations
• Whole body
  • Fever

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.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

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

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 U.S. 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.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

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

• Activated charcoal
• Blood tests to determine the salicylate level in the blood
• Dialysis (in severe cases)
• Fluids (milk, fruit juice, or, in severe cases, IV fluids)
• Laxative
• Sodium bicarbonate by IV

Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do depends on how much salicylate is in the blood and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Most people can recover if the effect of the salicylate can be stopped (neutralized).

Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is the most poisonous (toxic) form of the salicylates.

References

Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2004.