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Definition
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Poisonous Ingredient
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Where Found
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Symptoms
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Home Treatment
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Before Calling Emergency
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Poison Control, or a local emergency number
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What to expect at the emergency room
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Expectations (prognosis)
Definition
This is poisoning from ingestion of caffeine.
Poisonous Ingredient
Where Found
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coffee
- tea
- hot chocolate
- chocolate
- some soft drinks (such as Pepsi, Coke, Mountain Dew)
- NoDoz
- Tirend
- Quick Pep
- Vivarin
- Caffedrine
- Coffee Break Caplets
- Durvitan
- Pro-Plus
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms
Adults
- body as a whole
- difficulty sleeping
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muscle twitching
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confusion
- in and out of consciousness
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increased urination
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increased thirst
- death
- fever
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respiratory
- gastrointestinal
- heart and blood vessels
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irregular heartbeat
- rapid heart beat
- nervous system
- hallucinations
- dizziness
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convulsions
Infants
- body as a whole
- very tense muscles alternating with overly relaxed muscles
- respiratory
- gastrointestinal
- heart and blood vessels
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rapid heartbeat
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low blood pressure
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shock
- nervous system
Home Treatment
Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician.
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:
- treatment of symptoms
- monitor vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and so forth)
- maintain blood pressure within normal limits
- activated charcoal may be given
- lavage
Expectations (prognosis)
The prognosis (probable outcome):
Death may occur following convulsions or irregular heartbeat.
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