MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Bacitracin zinc overdose

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Bacitracin zinc overdose

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

This poisoning is due to an overdose of bacitracin zinc.

Poisonous Ingredient

Bacitracin
Zinc

Where Found

Some prescription antibiotic eye drops, such as Neosporin Ophthalmic drops
Some prescription antibiotic eye ointments, such as Neosporin Ophthalmic Ointment
Some antibiotic sprays, such as Polysporin Spray
Some antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin and Polysporin

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Body as a whole
- Swelling of lips and face
- Sweating
- Tightness of chest
Respiratory
- Temporarily stop breathing
Skin
- Rash
- Itching
Heart and blood vessels
- Low blood pressure
- Heart stops
Nervous system
- Unconsciousness

Note: These reactions are more likely as a result of an allergic reaction rather than a true overdose situation.

Home Treatment

Discontinue the use of the antibiotic. Seek emergency medical care immediately. Call Poison Control for guidance.

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

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

Treat the allergic reaction with diphenhydramine and prednisone.
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.
For skin exposure
- Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days.
- Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin).
- Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care.

Expectations (prognosis)

If the allergic reaction can be controlled, recovery is very likely.

Update Date: 1/29/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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