Bacitracin zinc overdose

• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms
• Home Treatment

• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Definition   

This poisoning is due to an overdose of bacitracin zinc.

Poisonous Ingredient   

• Bacitracin
• Zinc

Where Found   

• Some prescription antibiotic eye drops, such as Neosporin Ophthalmic drops
• Some prescription antibiotic eye ointments, such as Neosporin Ophthalmic Ointment
• Some antibiotic sprays, such as Polysporin Spray
• Some antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin and Polysporin

Symptoms   

• Body as a whole
  • Swelling of lips and face
  • Sweating
  • Tightness of chest
• Respiratory
  • Temporarily stop breathing
• Skin
  • Rash
  • Itching
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Low blood pressure
  • Heart stops
• Nervous system
  • Unconsciousness

Home Treatment   

Discontinue the use of the antibiotic. Seek emergency medical care immediately. Call Poison Control for guidance.

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   

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   

• Treat the allergic reaction with diphenhydramine and prednisone.
• For swallowed poison
  • Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage).
  • Activated charcoal administration.
  • Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach.
  • Give IV fluids.
  • Admission to the hospital.
  • Give an antidote.
  • Treat the symptoms.
• For skin exposure
  • Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days.
  • Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin).
  • Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care.

Expectations (prognosis)   

If the allergic reaction can be controlled, recovery is very likely.