Peppermint oil overdose

Definition

Peppermint oil is an oil made from the peppermint plant. Peppermint oil overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Menthol

Where Found

Peppermint oil is used as a flavoring agent in various products. It is also used:

• As a germ-killing (antiseptic) product
• As a numbing (anesthetic) product
• In herbal medicine to relieve spasms

Note: This list may not include all uses of peppermint oil.

Symptoms

• Heart and blood
  • Slow heartbeat
• Lungs
  • Shallow breathing
  • Slow breathing
  • Rapid breathing
• Gastrointestinal
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Kidneys and bladder
  • Blood in urine
  • No urine production
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions
  • Depression
  • Dizziness
  • Twitching
  • Unconsciousness
  • Uncoordinated movement
• Skin
  • Flushing

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing support
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Tube down the windpipe and lungs to look for damage and burns (bronchoscopy)
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur. If damage to the kidneys has occurred, it may take several months to heal.

References

Maypole J, Woolf AD. Essential oils. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 101.

Nair B. Final report on the safety assessment of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf, and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Water.Int J Toxicol. 2001;20 Suppl 3:61-73.

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