MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Propyl alcohol

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Propyl alcohol

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 propyl alcohol.

Poisonous Ingredient

Isopropyl alcohol

Where Found

Rubbing alcohol
Alcohol swabs

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Home Treatment

Seek emergency medical care immediately. Call Poison Control. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING unless instructed to do so by Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

See poison control centers for the national telephone number. 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:

Administering activated charcoal.
Using gastric lavage (pumping the stomach).
Treating breathing difficulties.
Maintaining blood pressure.
Using dialysis.
Treating other symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

Recovery depends on amount ingested, amount of time before treatment, and occurence of kidney damage. Ingestion of isopropyl alcohol is potentially fatal.

Update Date: 5/12/2003

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

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