Drexel University College of Medicine

Poisons

Eugenol oil overdose

Definition

Eugenol oil (clove oil) overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows a large amount of a product containing this ingredient.

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.

Alternative Names

Clove oil overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Eugenol

Where Found

• Some toothache medications
• Food flavorings
• Clove cigarettes

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

• Airways and lungs
  • Breathing - shallow
  • Breathing - rapid
  • Coughing up blood
• Bladder and kidneys
  • Blood in the urine
  • No urine output
  • Pain when you urinate
• Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth
  • Burns in mouth and throat
• Gastrointestinal system
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Liver failure (especially in children)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Rapid heartbeat
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Dizziness
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

Home Treatment

Seek immediate emergency help. Do NOT make the person throw up unless told to do so by a doctor or poison control center.

If the product touched the skin, clean the area with soap and water.

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, or a local emergency number

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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• Breathing tube
• Camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach (endoscopy)
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medication to treat the effects of the poison
• Tube through the nose into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur, although permanent injury is possible.

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.

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