Calcium carbonate with magnesium antacid overdose

• Alternative names
• 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)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

This poisoning is from an overdose of calcium carbonate with magnesium in one of its various forms.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

Calcium carbonate and magnesium.

Where Found    Return to top

• Rolaids antacid
• Rolaids Calcium Rich
• Rolaids Sodium Free

Symptoms    Return to top

• Body as a whole
  • Dry mouth
  • Bone pain (from chronic over-use)
• Respiratory
  • Shallow, rapid breathing
• Cardiovascular
  • Electrical disturbances (arrhythmias) in the heart
• Gastrointestinal
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
• Nervous system
  • Stupor (being too sleepy)
  • Poor balance

Home Treatment    Return to top

If you believe someone has had a toxic exposure to Rolaids, seek medical care immediately. Do not induce vomiting, and call Poison Control. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

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    Return to top

See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the package with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

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

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

With proper care, recovery is likely.