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ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V W Y Z

Bacitracin zinc overdose

Overview Symptoms Treatment
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.
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