Malathion

• 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

Poisoning caused by an overdose of malathion.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• malathion

Where Found    Return to top

• some brands of insecticide

Symptoms    Return to top

• body as a whole
  • weakness
  • sweating
  • convulsions
  • increased urination
• respiratory
  • difficulty breathing
• heart and blood vessels
  • low or high blood pressure
  • slow or rapid heart rate
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • small pupils (not reactive to light)
  • increased tearing
  • increased salivation
• skin
  • blue skin (lips and fingernails)
• gastrointestinal
  • loss of appetite
  • abdominal cramps
  • diarrhea
  • nausea, vomiting
• nervous system
  • headache
  • anxiety
  • dizziness
  • coma
  • confusion
  • agitation

Home Treatment    Return to top

Call Poison Control Centers for appropriate treatment information. If malathion is on skin, wash area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. Mouth to mouth resuscitation may be necessary if the person stops breathing.

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

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person 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    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Establish and maintain airway.
• Wash areas of skin exposed to the insecticide.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Give an antidote (atropine)
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Continued improvement of symptoms over the first 4 to 6 hours under proper medical care usually indicates that recovery will occur.