MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Potassium carbonate

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Potassium carbonate

Contents of this page:
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

Poisoning from an overdose of potassium carbonate.

Poisonous Ingredient

Potassium carbonate

Where Found

Some home permanent-wave solutions
Some soft soaps
Some dishwasher soaps
Glass

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Body as a whole
- Severe pain in the mouth
- Collapse
Breathing difficulties due to swelling of the throat
Severe pain in the throat
Gastrointestinal
- Severe abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Rapid drop in blood pressure

Home Treatment

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

If on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If swallowed, give water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, continue giving water or milk.

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

The Poison Control or local emergency telephone representative will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. The national Poison Control hotline can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

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:

For swallowed poison
- Administration of fluids
- Administration of an antidote
- Endoscopy
- Treatment of symptoms
For inhalation
- Administration of supplemental oxygen
- Treatment of symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)

The probable outcome depends on how corrosive the ingested product was and how rapidly it was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage.

Damage continues to occur in the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the agent was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month after the product was swallowed.

Update Date: 5/23/2003

Updated by: Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.